REFORMED FAITH.
We will now see what had befallen Constance Tyrrell. When Father Jerome, in obedience1 to Philip’s injunctions, went over to Southampton to see her, he found her in the Hospital of the Domus Dei, in attendance upon Derrick Carver. So far from attempting to dissuade2 her from entering a convent, and devoting her life to Heaven, the good priest urged her strongly to carry out her design, but, to his great affliction, he found that a sudden and most unexpected change had come over her. The earnest exhortations3 addressed to her by the enthusiastic Derrick Carver had already produced a sensible impression, and she seemed more than half disposed to secede4 from the Church of Rome, and embrace the Reformed Faith. In vain Father Jerome remonstrated5 with her, and urged her to fly from the mischievous6 influence to which she was exposed. Failing in his endeavours, he repaired to Master Tyrrell, and informed him of his daughter’s danger; but the old merchant treated the matter with indifference7, and the worthy8 priest departed with a sad heart.
Sorely perplexed9 how to act for the best, Father Jerome, after much hesitation10 and delay, caused a communication to be made to the Queen, through her confessor, of the lamentable11 change that had taken place in Constance’s religious opinions.
Mary manifested great surprise and displeasure at the 154intelligence, and directed that Constance should be brought to Hampton Court, where her Majesty13 was then sojourning, in order that she might confer with the unhappy maiden14 in person, and see how far the mischief15 had proceeded, and what could be done for its cure.
Constance accordingly was summoned from Southampton, and had several private interviews with the Queen, who soon discovered that Derrick Carver had succeeded in effecting her conversion16. By the advice of her Majesty’s confessor, who felt sure he could bring back the stray lamb to the fold, Constance was detained for a time within the palace.
No mention having been made of this proceeding17 to Philip, it was only by accident that he became aware that Constance was an inmate18 of the palace. On making the discovery, he went, wholly unattended, to the apartments wherein he had ascertained19 she was lodged20. On entering the ante-chamber21, he found old Dorcas, who appeared terrified at the sight of him, and who, without stopping to be questioned, exclaimed that her young mistress was unable to see his Majesty.
“But I must see her,” rejoined Philip, authoritatively22. “Go in at once, mistress, and tell her I am here.”
Seeing from the King’s manner that remonstrance23 would be useless, the old woman complied, and drawing aside a piece of tapestry24, entered the inner room. In another moment she returned, and prayed his Majesty to step in.
Passing through the tapestry, Philip entered the room, where he found Constance alone. She was attired25 in black, and looked pale as death, and was evidently greatly agitated26. She made the King a profound reverence27, but did not raise her eyes towards him.
“So you have been here for some days, I find,” cried Philip, “and have allowed me to remain in ignorance of your presence, though you know how anxious I have been to behold28 you again. I began to fear I had lost you for ever, and that you had really carried your threat into execution, and buried your charms in a convent.”
“A great change has come over me, Sire,” rejoined Constance. “I have wholly abandoned that intention.”
Queen Mary discovers the perfidy29 of the King.
P. 155.
“I rejoice to hear it,” cried the King. “I dispatched 155Father Jerome to you, and I suppose his arguments prevailed?”
“No, Sire,” rejoined Constance. “I have been turned aside from my purpose by better arguments than any Father Jerome could employ.”
“Nay, I care not who dissuaded30 you,” replied Philip, “I am content with the resolution you have taken. I have been wretched—most wretched, since we parted, Constance.”
“Your Majesty cannot have been half so wretched as I have been,” she rejoined. “However, I have in some degree recovered my peace of mind, and I beseech31 you not to plunge32 me into misery33 again.”
“I must tell you how passionately34 I adore you,” exclaimed the King. “The love which you kindled35 in my breast when I first beheld36 you burns fiercer than ever, and cannot be extinguished. By my hopes of Paradise, fair Constance, I love you—only you.”
“Cease, Sire, cease!” cried Constance. “I cannot listen to you—I must not.”
“But you must—you shall listen to me,” cried Philip, still more passionately. “You shall hear how constantly I have thought of you. Your image has been ever before me. I have tried to stifle37 my love, but without success. It has mastered me, as it masters me now. Behold me at your feet, sweet Constance!” he added, prostrating38 himself before her; “not the King—but your suppliant—your slave!”
“Rise, Sire, I intreat you, from this unworthy posture39,” cried Constance. “Think of your duty to the Queen—all your love should be given to her.”
“Such love as I bear for you, sweet Constance, I cannot give to her Majesty,” rejoined Philip, “for as I have just declared, you have sole possession of my heart. You need fear no rival in the Queen.”
“Oh! hush40, Sire—hush!” exclaimed Constance, with the utmost alarm. “You are overheard! ha!—her Majesty!”
“The Queen here!” exclaimed Philip, springing to his feet.
And turning, he perceived that the Queen was pushing aside the hangings, and about to enter the room. Close behind 156her Majesty, whose looks proclaimed the depth of her indignation, came Sir John Gage41. For a moment, Philip seemed embarrassed, but he quickly recovered himself. Mary regarded her faithless consort42 with flashing eyes, but repressed the bitter reproaches that rose to her lips, though her heart swelled43 almost to bursting, and the veins44 on her brow distended45 with rage.
It was an awful moment, and Sir John Gage looked greatly troubled. The silence was broken by Constance, who flung herself at the Queen’s feet, exclaiming:
“Do not judge me harshly, gracious Madam. Do not suppose that I have failed in duty to your Majesty. Do not deem that I have been a consenting party to this meeting. On my soul I have not. The King will confirm my assertion. Speak, Sire, speak!”
Unable to resist this appeal, Philip said, “It is the truth, Madam. I alone am to blame.”
“You hear, gracious Madam,” cried Constance, “his Majesty acquits46 me. My sole crime is, that I have unhappily attracted his attention.”
“And that is crime enough, minion,” said Mary, regarding her fiercely. “You shall expiate47 the offence with your life. I will show you no mercy. Call in the guard, Sir John,” she added to Gage.
“Take heed48 how you obey that order, Sir John,” interposed Philip. “I am equal in authority here, and I forbid you. Your Majesty will do well to pause,” he added, with stern significance, to the Queen, “ere a breach49 be made between us that cannot be closed.”
“Oh! do not let me be the cause of misunderstanding between yourself and the King your consort, gracious Madam,” cried Constance. “I am not worth it. If my life will restore the peace I have unhappily disturbed, take it. I will lay it down freely.”
“It will be best to let her go, Madam,” observed Sir John Gage in a low tone.
There was a pause, during which it was evident that Mary was struggling hard with her feelings. Constance, who still remained in a kneeling posture, watched her countenance50 with the keenest anxiety. Folding his arms on his breast, Philip looked on coldly. Mary at length spoke51.
157“You have said truly, minion,” she observed. “You are not worth a quarrel between the King and myself. His Majesty has sought to screen you, by taking all blame upon himself, but I am not to be deceived. If nothing more, you have been indiscreet.”
“Indiscretion is a very venial52 fault,” rejoined Philip. “But even that cannot justly be laid to this damsel’s charge. Since her presence annoys you, let her leave the palace and return to her family.”
“She shall leave the palace, and that without delay,” rejoined Mary. “But she will be more secure in some religious house than with her family.”
“I pray you let me return to my father,” implored53 Constance, who had risen to her feet. “I will die rather than give you further cause of anxiety. But, as your Majesty is aware, I have quitted the Church of Rome.”
“A heretic!” exclaimed Philip, aghast at the unexpected declaration. “To what is this sad change attributable? When I first beheld you, you were zealous54 and devout55.”
“I am zealous and devout still, I trust, Sire,” rejoined Constance. “But my eyes have been opened, and I reject as idolatrous and superstitious56 the worship which I formerly57 practised.”
“I lament12 to hear it,” replied Philip, with a look of pious58 horror. “My confessor, Father Alfonso, shall take you in hand. He will convince you of your errors.”
“Nothing will shake me,” said Constance. “My belief is fixed59. I would rather endure martyrdom than peril60 my salvation61.”
“Your firmness may be put to the test,” observed the Queen severely62. “Your Majesty, methinks,” she added to Philip, “will scarcely attempt to defend her now.”
“I am horror-stricken!” exclaimed the King. “I could not have believed in so sudden and sad a defection. Who is the author of this evil work? To whose baneful63 counsel have you listened? Is it from the would-be assassin, Derrick Carver, that you have imbibed64 these pernicious opinions?”
“I have heard the truth from his lips, Sire,” returned Constance.
“I guessed as much,” said Philip; “and it is from this 158polluted source that you expect the water of life to flow. I did not believe you capable of such weakness. I can no longer oppose her Majesty’s design of placing you in some religious house, where discipline and good counsel may bring you back to the faith from which you have swerved65.”
“If mild measures prove ineffectual, others must be adopted,” observed Mary.
“Do with me as you will,” said Constance, resignedly. “I am in your Majesty’s hands, and am prepared to seal my faith with my blood.”
“Were anything wanting to convince me of the necessity of utterly66 extirpating67 heresy68 from the realm, I should now be satisfied,” remarked Mary. “An example shall be made of this mischievous Derrick Carver. He shall be delivered over to the religious tribunals, to be dealt with according to his deserts. Prepare for immediate69 departure,” she added to Constance. “I myself will give instructions respecting you.”
Constance bowed submissively.
By this time the Queen’s anger towards her consort had somewhat subsided70, and she said to him in a somewhat kindlier tone, “Your Majesty can have no further business here. I will pray you to accompany me.”
Philip bowed. As he quitted the chamber with the Queen, he cast a parting glance at Constance, who remained in the same humble71 attitude, with her eyes fixed upon the ground.
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1
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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secede
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| v.退出，脱离 | |
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remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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8
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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9
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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13
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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19
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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24
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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25
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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28
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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30
dissuaded
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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32
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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33
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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34
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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35
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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36
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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37
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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38
prostrating
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的现在分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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39
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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40
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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41
gage
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| n.标准尺寸，规格；量规，量表 [=gauge] | |
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42
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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43
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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44
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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45
distended
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| v.（使）膨胀，肿胀( distend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
acquits
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的第三人称单数 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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47
expiate
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| v.抵补，赎罪 | |
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48
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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49
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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50
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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51
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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52
venial
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| adj.可宽恕的；轻微的 | |
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53
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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55
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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56
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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57
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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58
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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60
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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61
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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63
baneful
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| adj.有害的 | |
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64
imbibed
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| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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65
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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67
extirpating
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| v.消灭，灭绝( extirpate的现在分词 )；根除 | |
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68
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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69
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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70
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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71
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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