Salisbury himself visited him almost daily, and manifested the utmost concern for the welfare of his famous cousin. Upon such occasions Arthur frequently spoke5 of England and indulged in fancies of what he would do if he were King.
“Silence,” said Salisbury, with a smile. “I must not listen. You are talking high treason.”
108
At the very outset of his imprisonment6 Arthur had longed for an interview with his grandmother, Queen Eleanor. She declined seeing him, however, until she had ascertained7 John’s intentions. But just at this time she had a letter from her son, in which he wrote: “I shall be with you in a few days. Having performed all your duties to the Prince hitherto, see to it in some way that he is harmless in the future.”
The Queen clearly understood the double meaning of his words and considered the best means for carrying out his wishes. One day she abruptly8 said to Salisbury, “Bring your prisoner to me in the morning.” As he hesitated about replying, she added in the most insolent9 manner, “I hear continually about your intercourse10 with the Duke, and it does not please me, my lord.”
“By my long sword,” replied Salisbury impetuously, “I would rather be the object of your suspicion than have you cause the Prince to suffer.”
“Is he really as captivating as that?” said Eleanor, changing her tone. “I notice the people take no pains to conceal11 their admiration12 of his fine face and knightly13 bearing.”
109
“He is—and you may as well know it,” replied Salisbury—“he is a Plantagenet from head to foot; and those who doubt it, or seek to make others doubt it, have malicious14 designs.”
“When we have recognized him as a Plantagenet and our grandson, it will be time to award him his proper rank. We will see him in the morning.”
Salisbury looked sharply at the Queen, as if to discover her purpose, but one of his honest, straightforward15 nature could not read this crafty16 woman. He determined17, however, to watch over Arthur with increased vigilance, for—and the reason he could hardly explain himself—the youth had won his love and devotion.
While Arthur was attending mass the next morning with Salisbury, the Queen was arranging for the interview with the son of the hated Constance in her apartment. Two soldiers of the royal bodyguard18 submissively received her orders. As she sat at a table covered with papers and writing materials she heard the gong strike the hour which marked the close of the morning service.
110
“Step behind those doors,” she said to the soldiers, “and await this signal. As soon as you hear me strike that metal cup with this silver key, enter, overpower and bind19 the prisoner, then do what I shall order. But hold! Before you go, make a hotter fire in that brazier so that the irons may be heated—now, go.”
The guard disappeared behind the door, and Eleanor, gazing fixedly20 at the irons in the coals, said to herself: “‘Let him be made harmless in the future,’ John says; well, a blind man is harmless enough. He will not fascinate people when he has lost his sight. A blind king never can rule over England.”
Steps were heard in the passage leading to the apartment, and as the Queen turned her head, she saw Arthur and Salisbury entering. Arthur stopped a moment, awaiting a greeting from the Queen, who sat in silence. As he approached her and she observed his noble figure and beautiful face, she suddenly rose and put out her hands as if to keep him off.
“Will you send me away? Will you not speak to your grandson?” said Arthur reproachfully.
“Yes,” said Salisbury, “one might fancy Geoffrey had come back to life.”
111
“Oh! that it were so, if it would only give me his mother’s love!” exclaimed Arthur, kneeling and taking the Queen’s hand.
“Do not recall him,” replied Eleanor passionately22. “Geoffrey scorned his mother’s love. I loved him better than any of my sons, and he gave his heart to Constance of Brittany, whom I detest23.”
“You speak of my mother,” quickly replied Arthur. “Oh, she is good and noble. What has she done that you should hate her so?”
“What has she done?” replied Eleanor. “She alienated24 my son from me. He no longer loved me. He no longer listened to my advice. He was disloyal.”
“Was your advice always sound?” asked Salisbury, with great earnestness. “Be fair, Queen. Remember, it was your advice that led Geoffrey into rebellion against his king and father.”
“No more of that, Salisbury,” interposed Eleanor.
“No,” resumed Arthur. “Let bygones be bygones. Be reconciled to my mother. I will love you both, if you will only permit it, grandmother.”
112
There was deep emotion in his supplicating25 tone and looks, and Eleanor was touched by it. She stood for a moment reflecting; then, turning to Salisbury, she said, “Leave us.”
Salisbury withdrew slowly and reluctantly, but ready to return at the first summons. Eleanor looked earnestly at the Duke as she said: “Listen, Arthur. I am old, but I am still capable of love and of hatred26. I could love you, image of my favorite son, and so exalt27 you that you would never need again to wear Philip’s armor. If I so wish, John will choose you as his successor, and will so engage upon his kingly honor. John must obey my wishes and the consent of all England will follow. I can give you the crown. I now proffer28 it to you, but upon one condition.”
“And what is that?” asked Arthur with trembling voice.
“You must accompany me to England and cut loose from all you leave in France. The Pope will dissolve your union with the Princess Marie. You must declare war against Philip Augustus.”
“And my mother?”
“You must leave her to her fate.”
“Never!” cried Arthur. “Oh, you are heartless, grandmother. If I thought my heart was capable of such wickedness, I would tear it out of my breast.”
113
“Once more I leave you free to make a decision. Choose,” said Eleanor.
“I never will choose disgrace!” exclaimed Arthur.
Eleanor stepped to the table and took the silver key from the metal cup. As she raised her hand to strike, her gaze fell upon Arthur’s eyes, which were glistening29 as if he were inspired. “No,” she muttered, “I cannot do it. They are Geoffrey’s eyes.” The key fell upon the soft carpet from her helpless hand. “Leave me,” she said. “Let us never see each other again in this life.” She placed her hands upon Arthur’s shoulders and looked at him long and earnestly. Then she sadly withdrew them and turned away. Arthur hurried from the apartment and met Salisbury, who had been waiting for him at the threshold. When Eleanor found she was alone, she stamped her foot and summoned the guards. “Take that away,” she said, pointing to the brazier; “the fire is dead.”
114
During Arthur’s visit to the Queen, reports of the interview and of Eleanor’s evil designs against her grandson spread through the city. There was great excitement, and open threats were made against her. As Arthur mounted the stairs with Salisbury he was greeted with loud applause by soldiers and knights30 in the castle yard. “Here he is,” shouted those nearest him. “He lives,” said others, and suddenly all joined in the enthusiastic cry, “Long live Arthur Plantagenet!” The Duke, overcome with surprise, waved his hand and thanked them. Then he followed Salisbury, who made a passage for him through the crowd with some difficulty. The shouts were audible in the apartment of the Queen, where, concealed31 behind a curtain, she was watching the throng32 below.
The dangerous excitement hastened her decision to deliver Arthur to the King. She might possibly have changed her intentions had not John entered Mirabeau that same evening with his army. As soon as he was alone with his mother, he inquired about Arthur, and broke into a fury of passion when he found that nothing had happened to the prisoner. His rage increased when he learned of the favorable impression his nephew had made upon the English troops and that Eleanor herself had shown a disposition33 to sympathize with him. “How is it,” he cried, “that I find you negotiating with Arthur, especially when unexpected events have thrown him into my power? Are you helping34 him, mother? Go, go! You have grown old and weak. I care nothing for his adherence35 to my cause or for Philip’s assistance. Possession and right are on my side.”
115
“The right!” replied Eleanor. “Ask your conscience in what manner King Henry’s will gave you that right.”
“Silence,” said John. “I know that I am indebted to your cunning; but still you must remain loyal to me.”
“I know that,” replied Eleanor, “but listen to my advice.”
“Enough for the present,” said John. “We will think about the matter to-morrow morning, mother.”
Arthur had passed the day alone, as neither Salisbury nor any of the knights had been to see him. About dark the watch, who came every evening to see that all was well, entered his room. Contrary to his usual custom he greeted Arthur curtly36 and was about to retire. Thereupon Arthur said to him, “How is it, Captain Norbert, that you have nothing to tell me to-day? You usually bring me some news.”
“News is not always good news, gracious Prince,” replied the captain significantly.
116
“Do you mean not good for me? What is it? Explain,” said Arthur.
The captain approached nearer and said in a low voice, “King John, your uncle, has arrived,” upon which he left so suddenly that Arthur could not question him further.
The intelligence weighed heavily upon him. Up to this time he had supposed that imprisonment, longer or shorter, would be the worst that could happen to him, but now he felt a misgiving37 that John would make a final decision as to his fate, and the hopelessness of the situation depressed38 his usually cheerful nature. With ardent39 longing40 he yearned41 to see his mother, Marie, and Alan; at last, overcome with sorrow, he wept bitter tears.
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1
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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3
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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5
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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6
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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7
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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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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12
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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13
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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14
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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15
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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16
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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17
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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18
bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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19
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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20
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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21
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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22
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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23
detest
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| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
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24
alienated
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| adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等） | |
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25
supplicating
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| v.祈求，哀求，恳求( supplicate的现在分词 ) | |
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26
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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27
exalt
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| v.赞扬，歌颂，晋升，提升 | |
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28
proffer
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| v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议 | |
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29
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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30
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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31
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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32
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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33
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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34
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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35
adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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36
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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37
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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38
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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39
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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40
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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