第59章

``Ha！’’answeredtheBaron，afteralongpause，``anthouknowestthat，thouartindeedtheauthorofevil，andasomniscientasthemonkscallthee！——

ThatsecretIdeemedlockedinmyownbreast，andinthatofonebesides——thetemptress，thepartakerofmyguilt——Go，leaveme，fiend！andseektheSaxonwitchUlrica，whoalonecouldtelltheewhatsheandIalonewitnessed——Go，Isay，toher，whowashedthewounds，andstraightedthecorpse，andgavetotheslainmantheoutwardshowofonepartedintimeandinthecourseofnature——Gotoher，shewasmytemptress，thefoulprovoker，themorefoulrewarder，ofthedeed——lether，aswellasI，tasteofthetortureswhichanticipatehell！’’

``Shealreadytastesthem，’’saidUlrica，steppingbeforethecouchofFront-de-Buf；``shehathlongdrunkenofthiscup，anditsbitternessisnowsweetenedtoseethatthoudostpartakeit——Grindnotthyteeth，Front-de-Buf——rollnotthineeyes——clenchnotthinehand，norshakeitatmewiththatgestureofmenace！——Thehandwhich，likethatofthyrenownedancestorwhogainedthyname，couldhavebrokenwithonestroketheskullofamountain-bull，isnowunnervedandpowerlessasmineown！’’

``Vilemurderoushag！’’repliedFront-de-Buf；

``detestablescreech-owl！itisthenthouwhoartcometoexultovertheruinsthouhastassistedtolaylow?’’

``Ay，ReginaldFront-de-Buf，’’answeredshe，``itisUlrica！——itisthedaughterofthemurderedTorquilWolfganger！——itisthesisterofhisslaughteredsons！——itisshewhodemandsofthee，andofthyfather’shouse，fatherandkindred，nameandfame——allthatshehaslostbythenameofFront-de-Buf！——Thinkofmywrongs，Front-de-Buf，andanswermeifIspeaknottruth。Thouhastbeenmyevilangel，andIwillbethine——Iwilldogtheetilltheveryinstantofdissolution！’’

``Detestablefury！’’exclaimedFront-de-Buf，``thatmomentshaltthouneverwitness——Ho！

Giles，Clement，andEustace！SaintMaur，andStephen！seizethisdamnedwitch，andhurlherfromthebattlementsheadlong——shehasbetrayedustotheSaxon！——Ho！SaintMaur！Clement！

false-hearted，knaves，wheretarryye?’’

``Callonthemagain，valiantBaron，’’saidthehag，withasmileofgrislymockery；``summonthyvassalsaroundthee，doomthemthatloitertothescourgeandthedungeon——Butknow，mightychief，’’

shecontinued，suddenlychanginghertone，``thoushalthaveneitheranswer，noraid，norobedienceattheirhands——Listentothesehorridsounds，’’

forthedinoftherecommencedassaultanddefencenowrungfearfullyloudfromthebattlementsofthecastle；``inthatwar-cryisthedownfallofthyhouse——Theblood-cementedfabricofFront-de-Buf’spowertotterstothefoundation，andbeforethefoeshemostdespised！——TheSaxon，Reginald！——

thescornedSaxonassailsthywalls！——Whyliestthouhere，likeaworn-outhind，whentheSaxonstormsthyplaceofstrength?’’

``Godsandfiends！’’exclaimedthewoundedknight；``O，foronemoment’sstrength，todragmyselftothe_mle_，andperishasbecomesmyname！’’

``Thinknotofit，valiantwarrior！’’repliedshe；

``thoushaltdienosoldier’sdeath，butperishlikethefoxinhisden，whenthepeasantshavesetfiretothecoveraroundit。’’

``Hat