第42章

``Youareunjust，LadyRowena，’’saidtheknight，bitinghislipsinsomeconfusion，andspeakinginatonemorenaturaltohimthanthatofaffectedgallantry，whichhehadatfirstadopted；``yourselffreefrompassion，youcanallownoexcuseforthefrenzyofanother，althoughcausedbyyourownbeauty。’’

``Iprayyou，SirKnight，’’saidRowena，``toceasealanguagesocommonlyusedbystrollingminstrels，thatitbecomesnotthemouthofknightsornobles。Certes，youconstrainmetositdown，sinceyouenteruponsuchcommonplaceterms，ofwhicheachvilecrowderhathastockthatmightlastfromhencetoChristmas。’’

``Prouddamsel，’’saidDeBracy，incensedatfindinghisgallantstyleprocuredhimnothingbutcontempt——``prouddamsel，thoushaltbeasproudlyencountered。Knowthen，thatIhavesupportedmypretensionstoyourhandinthewaythatbestsuitedthycharacter。Itismeeterforthyhumourtobewooedwithbowandbill，thaninsetterms，andincourtlylanguage。’’

``Courtesyoftongue，’’saidRowena，``whenitisusedtoveilchurlishnessofdeed，isbutaknight’sgirdlearoundthebreastofabaseclown。Iwondernotthattherestraintappearstogallyou——

moreitwereforyourhonourtohaveretainedthedressandlanguageofanoutlaw，thantoveilthedeedsofoneunderanaffectationofgentlelanguageanddemeanour。’’

``Youcounselwell，lady，’’saidtheNorman；

``andintheboldlanguagewhichbestjustifiesboldactionItellthee，thoushaltneverleavethiscastle，orthoushaltleaveitasMauricedeBracy’swife。

Iamnotwonttobebaffledinmyenterprises，norneedsaNormannoblescrupulouslytovindicatehisconducttotheSaxonmaidenwhombedistinguishesbytheofferofhishand。Thouartproud，Rowena，andthouartthefittertobemywife。Bywhatothermeanscouldstthouberaisedtohighhonourandtoprincelyplace，savingbymyalliance?

Howelsewouldstthouescapefromthemeanprecinctsofacountrygrange，whereSaxonsherdwiththeswinewhichformtheirwealth，totakethyseat，honouredasthoushouldstbe，andshaltbe，amidallinEnglandthatisdistinguishedbybeauty，ordignifiedbypower?’’

``SirKnight，’’repliedRowena，``thegrangewhichyoucontemnhathbeenmyshelterfrominfancy；

and，trustme，whenIleaveit——shouldthatdayeverarrive——itshallbewithonewhohasnotlearnttodespisethedwellingandmannersinwhichIhavebeenbroughtup。’’

``Iguessyourmeaning，lady，’’saidDeBracy，``thoughyoumaythinkitliestooobscureformyapprehension。Butdreamnot，thatRichardCurdeLionwilleverresumehisthrone，farlessthatWilfredofIvanhoe，hisminion，willeverleadtheetohisfootstool，tobetherewelcomedasthebrideofafavourite。Anothersuitormightfeeljealousywhilehetouchedthisstring；butmyfirmpurposecannotbechangedbyapassionsochildishandsohopeless。Know，lady，thatthisrivalisinmypower，andthatitrestsbutwithmetobetraythesecretofhisbeingwithinthecastletoFront-de-Buf，whosejealousywillbemorefatalthanmine。’’

``Wilfredhere?’’saidRowena，indisdain；``thatisastrueasthatFront-de-Bufishisrival。’’

DeBracylookedathersteadilyforaninstant。

``Wertthoureallyignorantofthis?’’saidhe；

``didstthounotknowthatWilfredofIvanhoetravelledinthelitteroftheJew?——ameetconveyanceforthecrusader，whosedoughtyarmwastoreconquertheHolySepulchre！’’Andhelaughedscornfully。

``Andifheishere，’’saidRowena，compellingherselftoatoneofindifference，thoughtremblingwithanagonyofapprehensionwhichshecouldnotsuppress，``inwhatishetherivalofFront-de-Buf?

orwhathashetofearbeyondashortimprisonment，andanhonourableransom，accordingtotheuseofchivalry?’’

``Rowena，’’saidDeBracy，``artthou，too，deceivedbythecommonerrorofthysex，whothinktherecanbenorivalrybutthatrespectingtheirowncharms?Knowestthounotthereisajealousyofambitionandofwealth，aswellasoflove；andthatthisourhost，Front-de-Buf，willpushfromhisroadhimwhoopposeshisclaimtothefairbaronyofIvanhoe，asreadily，eagerly，andunscrupulously，asifhewerepreferredtohimbysomeblue-eyeddamsel?Butsmileonmysuit，lady，andthewoundedchampionshallhavenothingtofearfromFro