第30章

``Ihavebeenattendingtomineownbusiness，’’

answeredDeBracycalmly，``asyou，Fitzurse，havebeenmindingyours。’’

``Imindingmineownbusiness！’’echoedWaldemar；

``IhavebeenengagedinthatofPrinceJohn，ourjointpatron。’’

``Asifthouhadstanyotherreasonforthat，Waldemar，’’saidDeBracy，``thanthepromotionofthineownindividualinterest?Come，Fitzurse，weknoweachother——ambitionisthypursuit，pleasureismine，andtheybecomeourdifferentages。

OfPrinceJohnthouthinkestasIdo；thatheistooweaktobeadeterminedmonarch，tootyrannicaltobeaneasymonarch，tooinsolentandpresumptuoustobeapopularmonarch，andtoofickleandtimidtobelongamonarchofanykind。ButheisamonarchbywhomFitzurseandDeBracyhopetoriseandthrive；andthereforeyouaidhimwithyourpolicy，andIwiththelancesofmyFreeCompanions。’’

``Ahopefulauxiliary，’’saidFitzurseimpatiently；

``playingthefoolintheverymomentofutternecessity——Whatonearthdostthoupurposebythisabsurddisguiseatamomentsourgent?’’

``Togetmeawife，’’answeredDeBracycoolly，``afterthemannerofthetribeofBenjamin。’’

``ThetribeofBenjamin?’’saidFitzurse；``I

comprehendtheenot。’’

``Wertthounotinpresenceyester-even，’’saidDeBracy，``whenweheardthePriorAymertellusataleinreplytotheromancewhichwassungbytheMinstrel?——Hetoldhow，longsinceinPalestine，adeadlyfeudarosebetweenthetribeofBenjaminandtherestoftheIsraelitishnation；

andhowtheycuttopieceswellnighallthechivalryofthattribe；andhowtheysworebyourblessedLady，thattheywouldnotpermitthosewhoremainedtomarryintheirlineage；andhowtheybecamegrievedfortheirvow，andsenttoconsulthisholinessthePopehowtheymightbeabsolvedfromit；andhow，bytheadviceoftheHolyFather，theyouthofthetribeofBenjamincarriedofffromasuperbtournamentalltheladieswhoweretherepresent，andthuswonthemwiveswithouttheconsenteitheroftheirbridesortheirbrides’

families。’’

``Ihaveheardthestory，’’saidFitzurse，``thougheitherthePriororthouhasmadesomesingularalterationsindateandcircumstances。’’

``Itellthee，’’saidDeBracy，``thatImeantopurveymeawifeafterthefashionofthetribeofBenjamin；whichisasmuchastosay，thatinthissameequipmentIwillfalluponthatherdofSaxonbullocks，whohavethisnightleftthecastle，andcarryofffromthemthelovelyRowena。’’

``Artthoumad，DeBracy?’’saidFitzurse。``Bethinktheethat，thoughthemenbeSaxons，theyarerichandpowerful，andregardedwiththemorerespectbytheircountrymen，thatwealthandhonourarebutthelotoffewofSaxondescent。’’

``Andshouldbelongtonone，’’saidDeBracy；

``theworkoftheConquestshouldbecompleted。’’

``Thisisnotimeforitatleast，’’saidFitzurse``theapproachingcrisisrendersthefavourofthemultitudeindispensable，andPrinceJohncannotrefusejusticetoanyonewhoinjurestheirfavourites。’’

``Lethimgrantit，ifhedare，’’saidDeBracy；

``hewillsoonseethedifferencebetwixtthesupportofsuchalustylotofspearsasmine，andthatofaheartlessmobofSaxonchurls。YetImeannoimmediatediscoveryofmyself。SeemInotinthisgarbasboldaforesteraseverblewhorn?TheblameoftheviolenceshallrestwiththeoutlawsoftheYorkshireforests。IhavesurespiesontheSaxon’smotions——To-nighttheysleepintheconventofSaintWittol，orWithold，orwhatevertheycallthatchurlofaSaxonSaintatBurton-on-Trent。

Nextday’smarchbringsthemwithinourreach，and，falcon-ways，weswooponthematonce。PresentlyafterIwillappearinmineownsh