"I have means of escape," the merchant said, going to the other side of the apartment, where there was a massive iron door, which they had not before noticed. "Here," he said, "is a passage leading under the street; at the end it ascends4, and is closed at the top by a massive panel in the hall of the house opposite. When I took this house a compatriot lived there, and it was with his consent that I made the passage, which might be useful in case of need, to him as well as to me. He returned to Flanders three years since, and the house has been occupied by an English trader, who knows naught5 of the passage, so that, at will, I can sally out by that way."
"And how is your dame6, sir?" Albert asked. "I trust that she is none the worse for her transport here."
"I trust not, young sir; she swooned as I brought her down, but I at once poured some cordial between her lips, and when she opened her eyes, just before you came down, I assured her that we were all safe, and that there was no cause for the least fear; thereupon she closed her eyes again, and is, methinks, asleep. When she wakes I shall give her the medicine that my daughter brought. I trust that she will erelong recover. Her attack was doubtless brought on by the news that we received yesterday of the murder of so many of our countrymen. We had already talked of taking refuge here, but deemed not that there was any pressing need of haste, for the front door is a very strong one, and could have resisted any attacks long enough to give us ample time to retire here."
"How do you manage to breathe here, sir, now that the stone slab is down and the door closed? I see not how you obtain air."
"For that I made provision at the time it was built. Here are two shafts7, six inches square; this one runs up into the chimney of the kitchen and draws up the air from here; the other goes up to a grating in the outer wall of the house in the yard behind. It looks as if made for giving ventilation under the floors or to the cellar, and through this the air comes down to take the place of that drawn8 upwards9 by the heat of the chimney."
"And now, Mynheer Van Voorden," for such they had learned was the Fleming's name, "as there is a way of escape, we shall be glad to use it."
"I pray you do not think of doing so at present," the Fleming said. "We know not yet whether the evil-doers have cleared off, and methinks it is not likely that they will have gone yet. First they will search high and low for us, then they will demolish10 the furniture, and take all they deem worth carrying; then, doubtless, they will quench11 their thirst in the cellar above, and lastly they will fire the house, thinking that although they cannot find us, they will burn us with it. They will wait some time outside to see if we appear at one of the windows, and not until the roof has fallen in will they be sure that we have perished. Moreover, you cannot well appear in the streets for the present in that attire12, for you might well be recognized and denounced. First of all, let me persuade you to take such poor refreshments13 as I can offer you."
"Thanks, sir; of that we shall be glad, for 'tis now past noon, and we have had but a loaf we bought at a baker's as we entered the city."
The Fleming gave orders to the servant, and they speedily had a snow-white cloth of the finest damask on the table, and placed on it a service of silver dishes.
"'Tis well that I had my plate brought down here yesterday," the merchant said, smiling, "though it hardly consorts14 well with the fare that I have to offer you. To-morrow, should you pay us a visit, you will find us better prepared, for, as you see, we have a fireplace at the bottom of the flue opening into the kitchen chimney. This was done, not only that we might have warmth, and be able, if need be, to cook here, but to increase the draught15 upwards, and so bring down more air from the other flue."
The lads, however, found that there was no need for apology, for there were upon the dishes two chickens, a raised pasty large enough for a dozen people, and a variety of sweets and conserves16. The wine, too, was superb. They made a hearty17 meal. When they had finished, the Fleming said: "Now we will go upstairs; there is a peephole in the carving18 of the panel, and we can see how matters stand."
Opening the door, they pushed up the massive stone. As they ascended19 the stairs they smelt20 smoke, which grew thicker at each step.
"We need go no further, sirs; the house is clearly on fire, and smoke has made its way through the peephole that I spoke21 of."
They waited for another half hour, and then they heard a heavy crash on the other side of the stone barrier.
"The roof has doubtless fallen in or one of the walls," Van Voorden said. "There is, be sure, a mob gathered to watch the flames, but in another half hour it will have gone elsewhere; still, I should advise you to wait until nightfall."
They saw that this would be prudent22, for their attire would certainly render them obnoxious23 to the rioters. They were, however, impatient to be off and see what was being done. The Fleming's wife was still sleeping soundly, and her husband said that he was convinced that the crisis was passed, and that she would now recover. The Fleming asked them many questions about themselves, and where they could be found. They told them where they were at present lodging24, but said they thought that as soon as the present troubles were over they should return to their home in the country.
"I myself shall be returning to Flanders, sirs. I have talked of it many times these last five years, and after this outburst it will be long before any of my people will be able to feel that they are safe in London. Had it not been that the populace are as much masters in Bruges as they are here, I should have gone long ago.
"There is, indeed, no change for the better there, but I shall settle in Brussels or Louvain, where I can live in peace and quiet."
At the end of half an hour Edgar said: "I think that they must have cleared off by this time. When we sally out, do you, Albert, go one way, and I will go another. There is naught in our dress to distinguish us from other citizens, and methinks that most of those who would have known us again are lying under the ruins above."
They had, on first arriving below, washed the blood from their faces, and bathed their wounds, which were by no means of a serious character. The Fleming agreed with them that, if they separated, there would be no great danger of their being recognized. After taking farewell of the girl, who had all this time been sitting silently by her mother's bedside, they passed through the iron door, preceded by the Fleming carrying a lamp. After passing through the passage they went up a long flight of narrow steps until their course was arrested by a wooden panel. The Fleming applied25 first his eye and then his ear to a tiny peephole.
"Everything is quiet," he said; then touched a spring, pushed the panel open a short distance, and looked out.
"All is clear; you have but to open the door and go out."
He pushed the panel farther back, pressed the lads' hands as they went out, and then closed the entrance behind them. There was but a single bolt to undraw; then they opened the door and stepped into the street, Edgar waiting for half a minute to let Albert get well away before he went out.
The front wall of the opposite house, having fallen inward, quickly smothered26 the fire, and although a light smoke, mingled27 with tongues of flame, rose from the ruin, the place had ceased to have any attraction for the mob, who had wandered away to look for more exciting amusement elsewhere.
Scenes of this kind were being enacted28 throughout the city. Already the restriction29 against plundering31 was disregarded, and although the men from the counties still abstained32 from robbery, the released prisoners from the jail and the denizens33 of the slums of the city had no such scruples34, and the houses of the Flemings were everywhere sacked and plundered35. The two friends met again at Aldgate. When they reached Tower Hill, it was, they found, occupied by a dense36 throng37 of people, who beleaguered38 the Tower and refused to allow any provisions to be taken in, or any person to issue out.
"What had best be done, Edgar? So menacing is the appearance of the rabble39 that methinks this attire would be as much out of place among them as would our own."
"I agree with you there, Albert, and yet I know not what we are to do. What we need is either a craftsman's dress or that of a countryman, but I see not how the one or the other is to be obtained. Assuredly nothing is to be bought, save perhaps bread, for the rioters have ordered that all bakers40' shops are to stand open."
He stood for a minute thinking. "I tell you what we might do," he went on. "Let us go back into Aldgate, and then down on to the wharf41. There are many country boats there, and we might buy what we need from the sailors."
"That is a good idea indeed, Edgar."
In a quarter of an hour they were on the wharf. Many of the craft there had no one on board, the men having gone either to join the rioters or to look on at what had been done. The skipper of a large fishing-boat was sitting on the wharf looking moodily42 down into his vessel43.
"Are you the captain of that craft?" Edgar asked him.
"I used to think so," he said; "but just at present no one obeys orders, as every Jack44 thinks that he is as good as his master. I ought to have gone out with the morning's tide, but my men would not have it so, and just at present they are the masters, not I. A murrain on such doings, say I. I was with them when it was but a talk of rights and privileges, but when it comes to burning houses and slaying45 peaceable men, I, for one, will have naught to do with it."
"Captain," Edgar said, "I see that you are an honest man, and maybe you will aid us. We find that there is peril47 in going about attired48 as we are, for we aided a short time since in saving a Flemish family from massacre49 by these fellows, and we need disguises. We want two countrymen's suits—it matters not whether they be new or old. We are ready to pay for them, but every shop is closed, and we have come down to the wharves50 to find someone who will sell."
"There is no difficulty about that," the skipper said, rising from his seat. "My own clothes would scarce fit you, but two of my crew are somewhat of your size. Step on board, and I will overhaul51 their lockers52, and doubt not that I shall find something to serve your purpose. They will not mind if they find that there is money sufficient to buy them new ones. Indeed, there is no need for that, for if you leave behind you the clothes you wear they will sell at Colchester for enough to buy them two or three suits such as those you take."
There was in those days no distinctive53 dress worn by sailors. The captain went down into the little cabin forward and opened two lockers.
"There," he said, "suit yourselves out of these. They are their best, for they thought that aught would do for mixing up with the mob in the city."
So saying he went on deck again. The citizen's clothes were soon stripped off, and the lads dressed in those they took from the lockers, and in a few minutes they rejoined the skipper, looking like two young countrymen.
"That will do well," he said, with a laugh. "Hob and Bill would scarce know their clothes again if they saw them on you. No, no," he added, as Albert put his hand into his pouch54, "there is no need for money, lads; they will be mightily55 content with the clothes you have left. Well, yes; I don't care if I do take a stoup of liquor. There is a tavern56 over there where they keep as good ale as you can find anywhere about here."
After drinking a pint57 of beer with the honest skipper, they again went off to the Tower, and mingled in the crowd. It was easy to see that it was composed of two different sections—the one quiet and orderly, the men looking grave and somewhat anxious, as if feeling that it was a perilous58 enterprise upon which they were embarked59, although still bent60 upon carrying it out; the other noisy and savage—the men from the jails, the scum of Canterbury and Rochester, and the mob of the city. Between these classes there was no sympathy, the one was bent only upon achieving their deliverance from serfdom, the other was solely61 influenced by a desire for plunder30, and a thirst for the blood of those obnoxious to them. Presently there was a loud shout from the crowd as the drawbridge was lowered.
"Perhaps they are going to make a sally, Albert. If so, we had best make off to our lodgings62, throw off these garments, and appear in our own."
"'Tis the king!" Albert exclaimed; "and see, there is De Vere, the Earl of Kent, and other nobles riding behind him."
"Yes; and there is your father. The king and those with him are without armour63 or arms; if they had seen as much as we have seen the last two days, they would scarce trust themselves in such a garb64."
A great shout arose as the boy king rode across the drawbridge. The lads noticed that the shout proceeded from the men who had hitherto been silent, and that the noisy portion of the crowd now held their peace. The king held up his hand for silence.
"My friends," he said, in a loud, clear voice, "there is no room here for conference. Follow me to Mile End Fields, and I will then hear what you wish to say to me, and will do what I can to give you satisfaction."
A great shout arose, and as the king rode off, most of the country people followed him. A great mob, however, still remained. These consisted principally of Wat the Tyler's following, who had ever been in the front in the doings that had taken place, together with the released malefactors and the town rabble. A few minutes after the king and his followers65 had left, there was a movement forward, and a moment later, with loud shouts, they began to pour across the drawbridge.
"What madness is this?" Edgar exclaimed. "There are twelve hundred men there, and yet no bow is bent. It must be treachery!"
"It may be that, Edgar; but more like, orders have been issued that none should shoot at the rioters or do them any harm, for were there any killed here it might cost the king his life."
"That may be it," Edgar muttered; "but come on, there is no saying what may happen."
They were now near the drawbridge, for when a part of the gathering66 had left to follow the king, they had taken advantage of it to press forward towards the gates, and in a few minutes were inside the Tower. All was in confusion. The men-at-arms and archers67 remained immovable on the walls, while a crowd of well-nigh twenty thousand men poured into the Tower with shouts of "Death to the archbishop! Death to the treasurer68!" Knowing their way better than others, Edgar and Albert ran at full speed towards the royal apartments. Finding themselves in a deserted69 passage they threw off their upper garments.
"Throw them in here," Edgar said, opening a door; "they may be useful to us yet."
Finding the king's chamber70 empty, they ran into the princess's apartment. The princess was sitting pale and trembling, surrounded by a group of ladies, among whom was Dame Agatha. A few gentlemen were gathered round. Just as the lads entered, Sir Robert Hales, the treasurer, ran in.
"Madam," he said, "I beseech71 you order these gentlemen to sheathe72 their swords. Resistance is impossible. There are thousands upon thousands of these knaves73, and were a sword drawn it would cost your life and that of all within the Tower. They have no ill-will against you, as they showed when you passed through them at Blackheath. I implore74 you, order all to remain quiet whatever happens, and it were best that all save your personal attendants dispersed75 to their apartments. Even the semblance77 of resistance might excite these people to madness, and serve as an excuse for the most atrocious deeds."
"Disperse76, I pray you, knights78 and ladies," the princess said. "I order—nay, I implore you, lose not a moment."
"Come," Dame Agatha said, firmly, taking hold of Aline's hand; "and do you follow, my son, with Edgar."
They hurried along the passages, one of which was that by which the lads had entered.
"Go on with them," Edgar said to his friend; "I will follow in a moment. This is the room where we left our disguises."
Running in he gathered the clothes, made them into a rough bundle, and then followed. He overtook his friends as they were mounting a staircase which led to a room in one of the turrets80. As they reached the chamber, and the door closed behind them, Dame Agatha burst into tears.
"I have been in such anxiety about you both!" she exclaimed.
"We have fared well, mother," Albert said; "but do you lose no moment of time. We have disguises here. I pray you put on the commonest garment that you have, you and Aline. If you can pass as servants of the palace, we can conduct you safely out of the crowd."
Edgar ran up a narrow flight of stone stairs, at the top of which was a trap-door. He forced back the bolts and lifted it.
"Bring up the clothes, Albert," he called down. "We will put them on while the ladies are changing, and we can watch from this platform what is doing without."
They soon slipped on the countrymen's clothes over their own, and then looked out at the scene below. Every space between the buildings was crowded by the mob shouting and yelling. The garrison81 still stood immovable on the outer walls.
"You must be right, Albert. Even if there be some traitors82 among them there must also be some true men, and never would they stand thus impassive had not the strictest orders been laid upon them before the king's departure."
In a minute or two they saw a number of men pour out, hauling along the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Robert Hales, the king's confessor, and four other gentlemen. Then with exulting83 shouts they dragged their prisoners to Tower Hill, and then forced them to kneel.
"They cannot be going to murder them!" Albert exclaimed with horror.
"That is surely their intent," Edgar said, sternly. "Would that we were there with but a hundred men-at-arms. Assuredly there would be a stout84 fight before they had their way."
"I cannot look on!" Albert exclaimed, hurrying to the other side of the platform as a man armed with a heavy sword faced the prisoners.
"There is naught more to see, Albert. All are murdered! God assoil their souls."
At this moment Dame Agatha called out from below that they were ready, and they ran down at once into the chamber. Dame Agatha and her daughter were both dressed in rough garments with hoods87 pulled over their faces, and might well have passed unnoticed as being the wife and daughter of some small trader, or superior domestics of the palace. Just as they were about to start they heard an uproar88 on the stairs below. The door had been already fastened.
"Best to open it," Edgar said; "they would but break it in."
Seven rough fellows, whose flushed faces showed that they had already been drinking, rushed into the room.
"Who have we here?" one shouted roughly. "Two wenches and two country lads. But what are all these fine clothes lying about; they must be nobles in disguise. We must take them down to Tyler and hear what he has to say to them. But, first of all, let us have a kiss or two. I will begin with this young woman," and he rudely caught hold of Aline.
Edgar's sword flashed out, and with the hilt he struck the ruffian so terrible a blow on the top of his head that he fell dead. An instant later he ran another through the body, shouting to the ladies: "Quick! to the platform above! Albert, guard the stairs after they pass. I will hold this door. None of these fellows must go out alive."
Taken by surprise for a moment, the men made a rush at him. The nearest was cut down with a sweeping89 blow that caught him on the neck, and almost severed90 the head from his body. Albert had drawn his sword as soon as he saw Edgar strike the first blow, and ran one of the men through the body, then engaged another, who made at him fiercely, while Dame Agatha and Aline sped up the steps. There were now but three foes91 left. While one engaged with Albert and pressed him hotly, the other two attacked Edgar, who was standing92 with his back to the door; but they were no match for the young swordsman, who parried their blows without difficulty, and brought them one after the other to the ground just as Albert rid himself of his opponent.
"Bring the ladies down, Albert, quickly. We must be out of this before anyone else comes."
Albert ran up. The two ladies were on their knees. "Quick, mother! There is not a moment to be lost. It is all over, and you have to go down as speedily as possible."
Dame Agatha passed through the scene of carnage without a shudder93, for she had more than once accompanied Sir Ralph abroad, and had witnessed several battles and sieges, but Aline clung to Albert's arm, shuddering94 and sobbing95. Edgar stood at the door until they had passed out. He closed it behind him, locked it on the outside, and threw the key through a loophole on the stair. They met with no one until they reached the lower part of the Tower, which the rioters were now leaving, satisfied with the vengeance96 that they had taken upon the archbishop and treasurer, whom they regarded as the authors of the obnoxious poll-tax. The party were unquestioned as they issued out into the yard and mingled with the mob. Here they gathered that the princess, having been roughly kissed by some of those who first entered her apartment, had swooned with terror, and that her attendants had been permitted to carry her down and place her in a boat, and that she had been taken across the river.
The rioters poured out across the drawbridge with almost as much haste as they had pressed over to enter the Tower, anxious to be away before the king's return, when he might turn against them the whole of the garrison. Many had intoxicated97 themselves by the wine in the royal cellars, and beyond a few rough jests nothing was said to the ladies, who were supposed to be some of the royal servants now being escorted to their country homes by their friends. As soon as possible Edgar and Albert edged their way out of the crowd and soon reached the door of their lodging. As soon as the garden gate closed behind them Aline fainted. Edgar, who was walking beside her, caught her as she fell, and carried her into the house, where he left her for a while in the care of her mother.
The latter said before she closed the door: "Edgar, I charge you to go back to the Tower and speak to my lord as he enters with the king. He will be well-nigh distraught should he find that we are missing, and go up to our chamber to look for us. Albert, do you remain here with us."
A quarter of an hour later she came down to her son.
"Aline has recovered her senses," she said, "but will have to lie quiet for a time. Now tell me what has happened. Have any of the Court been killed?"
Albert told her of the murder of the archbishop, the treasurer, and their five companions.
"'Tis terrible!" she said, "and I can well understand that Edgar was so maddened at the sight that when one of those half-drunken wretches insulted Aline he could contain himself no longer. But it was a rash act thus to engage seven men."
"Well, mother, if he had not smitten98 that man down I should have run him through. My sword was half out when he did so. You would not have had me stand by quietly and see you and Aline insulted by those wretches. But, indeed, the odds99 were not so great, seeing that they were but rabble of the town, and already half-drunk. Besides the man that he smote100 down, Edgar killed four of them, while I had but two to encounter, which was a fair division considering his strength and skill compared with mine. No half measures would have been of any use after that first blow was struck. It is certain that we should all have been killed had one of them escaped to give the alarm."
"I am far from blaming you, Albert. My own blood boiled at the indignity101, and had I carried a dagger102 I believe that I should have stabbed that fellow myself, though I had been slain103 a moment afterwards."
Looking out from the gate Edgar saw that the mob had now melted away. Throwing off his disguise, he proceeded to the Tower. Half an hour later the king rode up at a furious pace, followed by all who had ridden out with him save the king's half-brothers, the Earl of Kent and Sir John Holland, who, knowing their own unpopularity, and alarmed for their safety, put spurs to their horses and rode away. The king threw himself from his horse at the entrance, at which Edgar was standing.
"Is the news that has reached me true," he asked him, "that the princess, my mother, has been grossly insulted by this foul104 rabble, and that the archbishop, treasurer, and others have been murdered?"
"It is quite true, your Majesty105; the princess has been carried across the river in a swoon; the bodies of the gentlemen murdered still lie on the hill."
With an exclamation106 of grief and indignation the king ascended the steps.
"They are both safe, and at their former lodging, Sir Ralph. Dame Agatha sent me here to acquaint you where they were to be found; she knew that you would be very anxious as to their safety."
"I thank her for the thought," the knight said, turning his horse's head to go there. "Where have you and Albert been for the last two days?"
"We have slept at the lodgings, Sir Ralph, and during the day have traversed the city in sober clothes watching what has been done."
"Then you have seen scenes which must have made you almost ashamed of being an Englishman," Sir Ralph said, angrily. "This has been a disgraceful business. It was bad enough to destroy John of Gaunt's palace; for, although I love not Lancaster greatly, it was an ornament107 to London and full of costly108 treasures. For this, however, there was some sort of excuse, but not so for the burning of the Temple, still less for the destruction of the great house of the Knights of St. John, and also the manor-house of the prior of the order. I hear to-day that great numbers of Flemings have been slain, their houses pillaged109, and in some cases burnt. Now comes the crowning disgrace. That the Tower of London, garrisoned110 by 1,200 men, and which ought to have defied for weeks the whole rabbledom of England, should have opened its gates without a blow being struck, and the garrison remained inert111 on the walls while the king's mother was being grossly insulted, and the two highest dignitaries of the state with others massacred is enough, by my faith, to make one forswear arms, put on a hermit's dress and take to the woods. Here we are!"
The knight's two retainers ran up to take his horse as he entered the gateway112; and, vaulting113 off, he hurried into the house.
"Why, Agatha, you are strangely pale! What has happened? I have not had time yet to question Edgar, and, indeed, have been talking so fast myself that he has had no chance of explaining how you and Aline managed to get here. You came by water, I suppose, and so escaped that crowd of knaves round the Tower?"
"No, Sir Ralph, we escaped under the protection of your son and this brave youth. Had it not been for them we should surely have suffered indignity and perhaps death."
"What! were they in the Tower? How got they there, wife?"
"I have had no time to ask questions yet, husband, having been attending Aline, who fainted after bearing up bravely until we got here. She has but a few minutes since come out of her swoon, and I have stayed with her."
"Tell me what has happened, Albert," the knight said.
"We slept here last night, sir; and upon sallying out found the rioters assembled round the Tower. We were clad in traders' dresses Master Gaiton had given us; and seeing that there was no chance of entering the Tower, while it would not have been safe to have mingled with the mob in such an attire, we knew not what to do until Edgar suggested that we might, if we went down to the wharf, obtain disguises from one of the vessels114 lying there. We were fortunate, and exchanged our citizen clothes for those of two sailor-men. Then we came back and mingled in the crowd. We saw the drawbridge lowered, and the king ride off with his company, followed by the more orderly portion of the rioters. In a few minutes, headed by Wat the Tyler, those who remained poured across the drawbridge and were masters of the place, not a blow being struck in its defence.
"We made our way, by back passages known to us, to the princess's apartments, where she, with several knights and ladies, among them my mother and sister, were waiting to see what might come. Sir Robert Hales rushed in and prayed that no resistance be offered, as this would inflame115 the passions of the mob, and cost the lives of all within the Tower. So the princess gave orders for all to leave her save her maids, and to scatter116 to their own apartments, and remain quiet there. As soon as we reached my mother's room we besought117 her to put on that sombre dress, and prayed her similarly to attire Aline, so that they might pass with us unnoticed through the crowd. While they were doing this we went up to the platform above, and there witnessed the murder of the archbishop, treasurer, and priest—at least, Edgar did so, for I could not bring myself to witness so horrible a sight.
"In a short time my mother called that she and Aline were ready. We were about to leave the room and hurry away, when suddenly seven rough knaves, inflamed118 by wine, rushed in. The leader of them said that they saw we were people of quality, and that he would take us down before Wat the Tyler, who would know how to deal with us; but before doing so he and his crew would give the ladies some kisses, and thereupon he seized Aline roughly. I was in the act of drawing my sword, when Edgar dealt him so terrible a blow with the hilt of his that the man fell dead. Then there was a general fight. Edgar shouted to my mother and Aline to run up the steps to the platform above, and to me to hold the stairs, while he placed his back to the door.
"The combat lasted but a short time, for the fellows possessed119 no kind of skill. In addition to the man that Edgar had first killed he slew120 four others, while I killed the other two. Then mother and Aline came down from the platform, descended the stairs, and mingled with the mob; they were pouring out exulting in the mischief121 they had done, but plainly anxious as to the consequences to themselves. We had no difficulty in coming hither. By the remarks we heard, it is clear that they took the ladies for two of the princess's tirewomen, and we their friends who were going to escort them to their homes."
"Of a truth 'tis a brave tale, Albert!" the knight exclaimed, bringing his hand down on the lad's shoulder with hearty approbation122. "By my faith, no knights in the realm could have managed the matter more shrewdly and bravely. Well done, Albert; I am indeed proud of my son. As for you, Edgar, you have added a fresh obligation to those I already owe you. 'Tis a feat123, indeed, for one of your age to slay46 five men single-handed, even though they were inflamed by liquor. Now, wife, what about Aline?"
"She is here to answer for herself," the girl said, as she entered the room. "I am better, but still feel strangely weak. I could not lie still when I knew that you were in the house. I take great shame to myself, father. I thought I could be brave, in case of peril, as your daughter should be, but instead of that I swooned like a village maiden124."
"You are not to be blamed. So long as there was danger you kept up, and, in truth, it was danger that might well drive the blood from the face of the bravest woman; for the sight of that chamber, after the fight was over, must, in itself, have filled a maid of your age with horror. Why, the princess herself swooned on vastly less occasion. No, no, girl, I am well pleased with you; as for your mother, she had seen such sights before, but it was a rough beginning for you, and I think that you acted bravely and well."
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slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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ascends
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的第三人称单数 ) | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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10
demolish
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| v.拆毁(建筑物等)，推翻(计划、制度等) | |
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11
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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12
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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consorts
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| n.配偶( consort的名词复数 )；（演奏古典音乐的）一组乐师；一组古典乐器；一起v.结伴( consort的第三人称单数 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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15
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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16
conserves
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| n.（含有大块或整块水果的）果酱，蜜饯( conserve的名词复数 )v.保护，保藏，保存( conserve的第三人称单数 ) | |
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17
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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18
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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19
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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21
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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22
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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23
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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24
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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25
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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26
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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27
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
restriction
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| n.限制，约束 | |
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30
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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31
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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32
abstained
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| v.戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的过去式和过去分词 )；弃权（不投票） | |
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33
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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34
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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35
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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37
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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38
beleaguered
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| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
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39
rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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40
bakers
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| n.面包师( baker的名词复数 )；面包店；面包店店主；十三 | |
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41
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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42
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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43
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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44
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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45
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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46
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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47
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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48
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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49
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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50
wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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51
overhaul
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| v./n.大修，仔细检查 | |
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52
lockers
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| n.寄物柜( locker的名词复数 ) | |
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53
distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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54
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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55
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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56
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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57
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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58
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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59
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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60
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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61
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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62
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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63
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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64
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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65
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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66
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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67
archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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68
treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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69
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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70
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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71
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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72
sheathe
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| v.（将刀剑）插入鞘；包，覆盖 | |
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73
knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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74
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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75
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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76
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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77
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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78
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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79
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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80
turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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81
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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82
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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83
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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85
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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86
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
hoods
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| n.兜帽( hood的名词复数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩v.兜帽( hood的第三人称单数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩 | |
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88
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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89
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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90
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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91
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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92
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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93
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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94
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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95
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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96
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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97
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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98
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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99
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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100
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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101
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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102
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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103
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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104
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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105
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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106
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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107
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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108
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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109
pillaged
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
garrisoned
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| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
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111
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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112
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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113
vaulting
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| n.（天花板或屋顶的）拱形结构 | |
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114
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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115
inflame
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| v.使燃烧；使极度激动；使发炎 | |
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116
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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117
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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118
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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120
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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121
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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122
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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123
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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124
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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