第50章

Cedricwouldhaveenquiredfartherintothepurposewhichshethusdarklyannounced，butthesternvoiceofFront-de-Bufwasheard，exclaiming，``Wheretarriesthisloiteringpriest?Bythescallop-shellofCompostella，Iwillmakeamartyrofhim，ifheloitersheretohatchtreasonamongmydomestics！’’

``Whatatrueprophet，’’saidUlrica，``isanevilconscience！Butheedhimnot——outandtothypeople——CryyourSaxononslaught，andletthemsingtheirwar-songofRollo，iftheywill；vengeanceshallbearaburdentoit。’’

Asshethusspoke，shevanishedthroughaprivatedoor，andReginaldFront-de-Bufenteredtheapartment。Cedric，withsomedifficulty，compelledhimselftomakeobeisancetothehaughtyBaron，whoreturnedhiscourtesywithaslightinclinationofthehead。

``Thypenitents，father，havemadealongshrift——itisthebetterforthem，sinceitisthelasttheyshallevermake。Hastthoupreparedthemfordeath?’’

``Ifoundthem，’’saidCedric，insuchFrenchashecouldcommand，``expectingtheworst，fromthemomenttheyknewintowhosepowertheyhadfallen。’’

``Hownow，SirFriar，’’repliedFront-de-Buf，``thyspeech，methinks，smacksofaSaxontongue?’’

``IwasbredintheconventofStWitholdofBurton，’’answeredCedric。

``Ay?’’saidtheBaron；``ithadbeenbetterfortheetohavebeenaNorman，andbetterformypurposetoo；butneedhasnochoiceofmessengers。

ThatStWithold’sofBurtonisahowlet’snestworththeharrying。ThedaywillsooncomethatthefrockshallprotecttheSaxonaslittleasthemail-coat。’’

``God’swillbedone，’’saidCedric，inavoicetremulouswithpassion，whichFront-de-Bufimputedtofear。

``Isee，’’saidhe，``thoudreamestalreadythatourmen-at-armsareinthyrefectoryandthyale-vaults。

Butdomeonecastofthyholyoffice，and，comewhatlistofothers，thoushaltsleepassafeinthycellasasnailwithinhisshellofproof。’’

``Speakyourcommands，’’saidCedric，withsuppressedemotion。

``Followmethroughthispassage，then，thatI

maydismisstheebythepostern。’’

Andashestrodeonhiswaybeforethesupposedfriar，Front-de-Bufthusschooledhiminthepartwhichhedesiredheshouldact。

``Thouseest，SirFriar，yonherdofSaxonswine，whohavedaredtoenvironthiscastleofTorquilstone——

Tellthemwhateverthouhastamindoftheweaknessofthisfortalice，oraughtelsethatcandetainthembeforeitfortwenty-fourhours。Meantimebearthouthisscroll——Butsoft——canstread，SirPriest?’’

``NotajotI，’’answeredCedric，``saveonmybreviary；andthenIknowthecharacters，becauseIhavetheholyservicebyheart，praisedbeOurLadyandStWithold！’’

``Thefittermessengerformypurpose——CarrythouthisscrolltothecastleofPhilipdeMalvoisin；

sayitcomethfromme，andiswrittenbytheTemplarBriandeBois-Guilbert，andthatIprayhimtosendittoYorkwithallthespeedmanandhorsecanmake。Meanwhile，tellhimtodoubtnothing，heshallfinduswholeandsoundbehindourbattlement——Shameonit，thatweshouldbecompelledtohidethusbyapackofrunagates，whoarewonttoflyevenattheflashofourpennonsandthetrampofourhorses！Isaytothee，priest，contrivesomecastofthinearttokeeptheknaveswheretheyare，untilourfriendsbringuptheirlances。Myvengeanceisawake，andsheisafalconthatslumbersnottillshehasbeengorged。’’

``Bymypatronsaint，’’saidCedric，withdeeperenergythanbecamehischaracter，``andbyeverysaintwhohaslivedanddiedinEngland，yourcommandsshallbeobeyed！NotaSaxonshallstirfrombeforethesewalls，ifIhaveartandinfluencetodetainthemthere。’’

``Ha！’’saidFron