The Monastery Page 21

  Chapter the Twenty-First.

  Indifferent, but indifferent--pshaw, he doth it not Like one who is his craft's master--ne'er the less I have seen a clown confer a bloody coxcomb On one who was a master of defence. OLD PLAY.

  With the first gray peep of dawn, Halbert Glendinning arose and hastenedto dress himself, girded on his weapon, and took a cross-bow in hishand, as if his usual sport had been his sole object. He groped his waydown the dark and winding staircase, and undid, with as little noiseas possible, the fastenings of the inner door, and of the exterior irongrate. At length he stood free in the court-yard, and looking up to thetower, saw a signal made with a handkerchief from the window. Nothingdoubting that it was his antagonist, he paused, expecting him. But itwas Mary Avenel, who glided like a spirit from under the low and ruggedportal.

  Halbert was much surprised, and felt, he knew not why, like one caughtin the act of a meditated trespass. The presence of Mary Avenel had tillthat moment never given him pain. She spoke, too, in a tone where sorrowseemed to mingle with reproach, while she asked him with emphasis, "Whathe was about to do?"

  He showed his cross-bow, and was about to express the pretext he hadmeditated, when Mary interrupted him.

  "Not so, Halbert--that evasion were unworthy of one whose word hashitherto been truth. You meditate not the destruction of the deer--yourhand and your heart are aimed at other game--you seek to do battle withthis stranger."

  "And wherefore should I quarrel with our guest?" answered Halbert,blushing deeply.

  "There are, indeed, many reasons why you should not," repliedthe maiden, "nor is there one of avail wherefore you should--yetnevertheless, such a quarrel you are now searching after."

  "Why should you suppose so, Mary?" said Halbert, endeavouring to hidehis conscious purpose--"he is my mother's guest--he is protected bythe Abbot and the community, who are our masters--he is of high degreealso,--and wherefore should you think that I can, or dare, resent ahasty word, which he has perchance thrown out against me more from thewantonness of his wit, than the purpose of his heart?"

  "Alas!" answered the maiden, "the very asking that question puts yourresolution beyond a doubt. Since your childhood you were ever daring,seeking danger rather than avoiding it--delighting in whatever had theair of adventure and of courage: and it is not from fear that you willnow blench from your purpose--Oh, let it then be from pity!--from pity,Halbert, to your aged mother, whom your death or victory will alikedeprive of the comfort and stay of her age."

  "She has my brother Edward," said Halbert, turning suddenly from her.

  "She has indeed," said Mary Avenel, "the calm, the noble-minded, theconsiderate Edward, who has thy courage, Halbert, without thy fieryrashness,--thy generous spirit, with more of reason to guide it. Hewould not have heard his mother, would not have heard his adoptedsister, beseech him in vain not to ruin himself, and tear up theirfuture hopes of happiness and protection."

  Halbert's heart swelled as he replied to this reproach. "Well--whatavails it speaking?--you have him that is better than me--wiser,more considerate--braver, for aught I know--you are provided with aprotector, and need care no more for me."

  Again he turned to depart, but Mary Avenel laid her hand on his arm sogently that he scarce felt her hold, yet felt that it was impossiblefor him to strike it off. There he stood, one foot advanced to leave thecourt-yard, but so little determined on departure, that he resembled atraveller arrested by the spell of a magician, and unable either to quitthe attitude of motion, or to proceed on his course.

  Mary Avenel availed herself of his state of suspense. "Hear me," shesaid, "hear me, Halbert!--I am an orphan, and even Heaven hears theorphan--I have been the companion of your infancy, and if _you_ will nothear me for an instant, from whom may Mary Avenel claim so poor a boon?"

  "I hear you," said Halbert Glendinning, "but be brief, dear Mary--youmistake the nature of my business--it is but a morning of summer sportwhich we propose."

  "Say not thus," said the maiden, interrupting him, "say not thus tome--others thou mayst deceive, but me thou canst not--There has beenthat in me from the earliest youth, which fraud flies from, and whichimposture cannot deceive. For what fate has given me such a power I knownot; but bred an ignorant maiden, in this sequestered valley, mine eyescan too often see what man would most willingly hide--I can judge of thedark purpose, though it is hid under the smiling brow, and a glance ofthe eye says more to me than oaths and protestations do to others."

  "Then," said Halbert, "if thou canst so read the human heart,--say,dear Mary--what dost thou see in mine?--tell me that--say that what thouseest--what thou readest in this bosom, does not offend thee--say but_that_, and thou shalt be the guide of my actions, and mould me now andhenceforward to honour or to dishonour at thy own free will!"

  Mary Avenel became first red, and then deadly pale, as HalbertGlendinning spoke. But when, turning round at the close of his address,he took her hand, she gently withdrew it, and replied, "I cannot readthe heart, Halbert, and I would not of my will know aught of yours, savewhat beseems us both--I only can judge of signs, words, and actions oflittle outward import, more truly than those around me, as my eyes, thouknowest, have seen objects not presented to those of others."

  "Let them gaze then on one whom they shall never see more," saidHalbert, once more turning from her, and rushing out of the court-yardwithout again looking back.

  Mary Avenel gave a faint scream, and clasped both her hands firmly onher forehead and eyes. She had been a minute in this attitude, whenshe was thus greeted by a voice from behind: "Generously done, my mostclement Discretion, to hide those brilliant eyes from the far inferiorbeams which even now begin to gild the eastern horizon--Certes,peril there were that Phoebus, outshone in splendour, might in veryshamefacedness turn back his ear, and rather leave the world indarkness, than incur the disgrace of such an encounter--Credit me,lovely Discretion--"

  But as Sir Piercie Shafton (the reader will readily set down theseflowers of eloquence to the proper owner) attempted to take MaryAvenel's hand, in order to proceed in his speech, she shook him abruptlyoff, and regarding him with an eye which evinced terror and agitation,rushed past him into the tower.

  The knight stood looking after her with a countenance in which contemptwas strongly mingled with mortification. "By my knighthood!" heejaculated, "I have thrown away upon this rude rustic Phidel? a speech,which the proudest beauty at the court of Felicia (so let me call theElysium from which I am banished!) might have termed the very matins ofCupid. Hard and inexorable was the fate that sent thee thither, PiercieShafton, to waste thy wit upon country wenches, and thy valour uponhob-nailed clowns! But that insult--that affront--had it been offeredto me by the lowest plebeian, he must have died for it by my hand, inrespect the enormity of the offence doth countervail the inequality ofhim by whom it is given. I trust I shall find this clownish roisterernot less willing to deal in blows than in taunts."

  While he held this conversation with himself, Sir Piercie Shafton washastening to the little tuft of birch-trees which had been assignedas the place of meeting. He greeted his antagonist with a courtlysalutation, followed by this commentary: "I pray you to observe, thatI doff my hat to you, though so much my inferior in rank, withoutderogation on my part, inasmuch as my having so far honoured you inreceiving and admitting your defiance, doth, in the judgment of the bestmartialists, in some sort and for the time, raise you to a level withme--an honour which you may and ought to account cheaply purchased, evenwith the loss of your life, if such should chance to be the issue ofthis duello."

  "For which condescension," said Halbert, "I have to thank the tokenwhich I presented to you."

  The knight changed colour, and grinded his teeth with rage--"Draw yourweapon!" said he to Glendinning.

  "Not in this spot," answered the youth; "we should be liable tointerruption--Follow me, and I will bring you to a place where we shallencounter no such risk."

  He proceeded to
walk up the glen, resolving that their place of combatshould be in the entrance of the Corri-nan-shian; both because the spot,lying under the reputation of being haunted, was very little frequented,and also because he regarded it as a place which to him might be termedfated, and which he therefore resolved should witness his deathor victory. They walked up the glen for some time in silence, likehonourable enemies who did not wish to contend with words, and who hadnothing friendly to exchange with each other. Silence, however, wasalways an irksome state with Sir Piercie and, moreover, his anger wasusually a hasty and short-lived passion. As, therefore, he went forth,in his own idea, in all love and honour towards his antagonist, he sawnot any cause for submitting longer to the painful restraint of positivesilence. He began by complimenting Halbert on the alert activity withwhich he surmounted the obstacles and impediments of the way.

  "Trust me," said he, "worthy rustic, we have not a lighter or a firmerstep in our courtlike revels, and if duly set forth by a silk hose, andtrained unto that stately exercise, your leg would make an indifferentgood show in a pavin or a galliard. And I doubt nothing," he added,"that you have availed yourself of some opportunity to improve yourselfin the art of fence, which is more akin than dancing to our presentpurpose?"

  "I know nothing more of fencing," said Halbert, "than hath been taughtme by an old shepherd of ours, called Martin, and at whiles a lessonfrom Christie of the Clinthill--for the rest, I must trust to goodsword, strong arm, and sound heart."

  "Marry and I am glad of it, young Audacity, (I will call you myAudacity, and you will call me your Condescension, while we are on theseterms of unnatural equality,) I am glad of your ignorance with all myheart. For we martialists proportion the punishments which we inflictupon our opposites, to the length and hazard of the efforts wherewiththey oppose themselves to us. And I see not why you, being but a tyro,may not be held sufficiently punished for your outrecuidance, andorgillous presumption, by the loss of an ear, an eye, or even a finger,accompanied by some flesh-wound of depth and severity, suited to yourerror--whereas, had you been able to stand more effectually onyour defence, I see not how less than your life could have atonedsufficiently for your presumption."

  "Now, by God and Our Lady," said Halbert, unable any longer to restrainhimself, "thou art thyself over-presumptuous, who speakest thus daringlyof the issue of a combat which is not yet even begun--Are you a god,that you already dispose of my life and limbs? or are you a judge inthe justice-air, telling at your ease and without risk, how the head andquarters of a condemned criminal are to be disposed of?"

  "Not so, O thou,--whom I have well permitted to call thyself myAudacity. I, thy Condescension, am neither a god to judge the issue ofthe combat before it is fought, nor a judge to dispose at my ease andin safety of the limbs and head of a condemned criminal; but I am anindifferent good master of fence, being the first pupil of the firstmaster of the first school of fence that our royal England affords, thesaid master being no other than the truly noble, and all-unutterablyskilful Vincentio Saviola, from whom I learned the firm step, quick eye,and nimble hand--of which qualities thou, O my most rustical Audacity,art full like to reap the fruits so soon as we shall find a piece ofground fitting for such experiments."

  They had now reached the gorge of the ravine, where Halbert had atfirst intended to stop; but when he observed the narrowness of the levelground, he began to consider that it was only by superior agility thathe could expect to make up his deficiency in the science, as it wascalled, of defence. He found no spot which afforded sufficient room totraverse for this purpose, until he gained the well-known fountain, bywhose margin, and in front of the huge rock from which it sprung, wasan amphitheatre of level turf, of small space indeed, compared with thegreat height of the cliffs with which it was surrounded on every pointsave that from which the rivulet issued forth, yet large enough fortheir present purpose.

  When they had reached this spot of ground, fitted well by its gloomand sequestered situation to be a scene of mortal strife, both weresurprised to observe that a grave was dug close by the foot of the rockwith great neatness and regularity, the green turf being laid downupon the one side, and the earth thrown out in a heap upon the other. Amattock and shovel lay by the verge of the grave.

  Sir Piercie Shafton bent his eye with unusual seriousness upon HalbertGlendinning, as he asked him sternly, "Does this bode treason, youngman? And have you purpose to set upon me here as in an emboscata orplace of vantage?"

  "Not on my part, by Heaven!" answered the youth: "I told no one of ourpurpose, nor would I for the throne of Scotland take odds against asingle arm."

  "I believe thou wouldst not, mine Audacity," said the knight,resuming the affected manner which was become a second nature to him;"nevertheless this fosse is curiously well shaped, and might bethe masterpiece of Nature's last bed-maker, I would say thesexton--Wherefore, let us be thankful to chance or some unknown friend,who hath thus provided for one of us the decencies of sepulture, and letus proceed to determine which shall have the advantage of enjoying thisplace of undisturbed slumber."

  So saying, he stripped off his doublet and cloak, which he foldedup with great care, and deposited upon a large stone, while HalbertGlendinning, not without some emotion, followed his example. Theirvicinity to the favourite haunt of the White Lady led him to formconjectures concerning the incident of the grave--"It must have been herwork!" he thought: "the Spirit foresaw and has provided for the fatalevent of the combat--I must return from this place a homicide, or I mustremain here for ever!"

  The bridge seemed now broken down behind him, and the chance of comingoff honourably without killing or being killed, (the hope of which issuehas cheered the sinking heart of many a duellist,) seemed now altogetherto be removed. Yet the very desperation of his situation gave him, onan instant's reflection, both firmness and courage, and presented to himone sole alternative, conquest, namely, or death.

  "As we are here," said Sir Piercie Shafton, "unaccompanied by anypatrons or seconds, it were well you should pass your hands over mysides, as I shall over yours; not that I suspect you to use any quaintdevice of privy armour, but in order to comply with the ancient andlaudable custom practised on all such occasions."

  While complying with his antagonist's humour, Halbert Glendinning wentthrough this ceremony, Sir Piercie Shafton did not fail to solicit hisattention to the quality and fineness of his wrought and embroideredshirt--"In this very shirt," said he, "O mine Audacity!--I say inthis very garment, in which I am now to combat a Scottish rusticlike thyself, it was my envied lot to lead the winning party at thatwonderous match at ballon, made betwixt the divine Astrophel, (ourmatchless Sidney,) and the right honourable my very good lord of Oxford.All the beauties of Felicia (by which name I distinguish our belovedEngland) stood in the gallery, waving their kerchiefs at each turn ofthe game, and cheering the winners by their plaudits. After which noblesport we were refreshed by a suitable banquet, whereat it pleased thenoble Urania (being the unmatched Countess of Pembroke) to accommodateme with her fan for the cooling my somewhat too much inflamed visage, torequite which courtesy, I said, casting my features into a smiling,yet melancholy fashion, O divinest Urania! receive again that too fatalgift, which not like the Zephyr cooleth, but like the hot breath of theSirocco, heateth yet more that which is already inflamed. Whereupon,looking upon me somewhat scornfully, yet not so but what the experiencedcourtier might perceive a certain cast of approbative affection----"

  Here the knight was interrupted by Halbert, who had waited withcourteous patience for some little time, till he found, that far fromdrawing to a close, Sir Piercie seemed rather inclined to wax prolix inhis reminiscences.

  "Sir Knight," said the youth, "if this matter be not very much to thepurpose, we will, if you object not, proceed to that which we have inhand. You should have abidden in England had you desired to waste timein words, for here we spend it in blows."

  "I crave your pardon, most rusticated Audacity," answered Sir Piercie;"truly I become oblivious
of every thing beside, when the recollectionsof the divine court of Felicia press upon my wakened memory, even asa saint is dazzled when he bethinks him of the beatific vision. Ah,felicitous Feliciana! delicate nurse of the fair, chosen abode of thewise, the birth-place and cradle of nobility, the temple of courtesy,the fane of sprightly chivalry--Ah, heavenly court, or rather courtlyheaven! cheered with dances, lulled asleep with harmony, wakenedwith sprightly sports and tourneys, decored with silks and tissues,glittering with diamonds and jewels, standing on end with double-piledvelvets, satins, and satinettas!"

  "The token, Sir Knight, the token!" exclaimed Halbert Glendinning, who,impatient of Sir Piercie's interminable oratory, reminded him of theground of their quarrel, as the best way to compel him to the purpose oftheir meeting.

  And he judged right; for Sir Piercie Shafton no sooner heard him speak,than he exclaimed, "Thy death-hour has struck--betake thee to thysword--Via!"

  Both swords were unsheathed, and the combatants commenced theirengagement. Halbert became immediately aware, that, as he had expected,he was far inferior to his adversary in the use of his weapon. SirPiercie Shafton had taken no more than his own share of real merit, whenhe termed himself an absolutely good fencer; and Glendinning soon foundthat he should have great difficulty in escaping with life and honourfrom such a master of the sword. The English knight was master of allthe mystery of the _stoccata, imbrocata, punto-reverso, incartata_, andso forth, which the Italian masters of defence had lately introducedinto general practice. But Glendinning, on his part, was no novice inthe principles of the art, according to the old Scottish fashion, andpossessed the first of all qualities, a steady and collected mind. Atfirst, being desirous to try the skill, and become acquainted with theplay of his enemy, he stood on his defence, keeping his foot, hand, eye,and body, in perfect unison, and holding his sword short, and with thepoint towards his antagonist's face, so that Sir Piercie, in orderto assail him, was obliged to make actual passes, and could not availhimself of his skill in making feints; while, on the other hand, Halbertwas prompt to parry these attacks, either by shifting his ground or withthe sword. The consequence was, that after two or three sharp attemptson the part of Sir Piercie, which were evaded or disconcerted by theaddress of his opponent, he began to assume the defensive in his turn,fearful of giving some advantage by being repeatedly the assailant. ButHalbert was too cautious to press on a swordsman whose dexterity hadalready more than once placed him within a hair's breadth of death,which he had only escaped by uncommon watchfulness and agility.

  When each had made a feint or two, there was a pause in the conflict,both as if by one assent dropping their swords' point, and looking oneach other for a moment without speaking. At length Halbert Glendinning,who felt perhaps more uneasy on account of his family than he had donebefore he had displayed his own courage, and proved the strength of hisantagonist, could not help saying, "Is the subject of our quarrel, SirKnight, so mortal, that one of our two bodies must needs fill up thatgrave? or may we with honour, having proved ourselves against eachother, sheathe our swords and depart friends?"

  "Valiant and most rustical Audacity," said the Southron knight, "to noman on earth could you have put a question on the code of honour, whowas more capable of rendering you a reason. Let us pause for the spaceof one venue, until I give you my opinion on this dependence, [Footnote:_Dependence_--A phrase among the brethren of the sword for an existingquarrel.] for certain it is, that brave men should not run upon theirfate like brute and furious wild beasts, but should slay each otherdeliberately, decently, and with reason. Therefore, if we coolly examinethe state of our dependence, we may the better apprehend whetherthe sisters three have doomed one of us to expiate the same with hisblood--Dost thou understand me?"

  "I have heard Father Eustace," said Halbert, after a moment'srecollection, "speak of the three furies, with their thread and theirshears."

  "Enough--enough,"--interrupted Sir Piercie Shafton, crimsoning with anew fit of rage, "the thread of thy life is spun!"

  And with these words he attacked with the utmost ferocity the Scottishyouth, who had but just time to throw himself into a posture of defence.But the rash fury of the assailant, as frequently happens, disappointedits own purpose; for, as he made a desperate thrust, Halbert Glendinningavoided it, and ere the knight could recover his weapon, requited him(to use his own language) with a resolute stoccata, which passed throughhis body, and Sir Piercie Shafton fell to the ground.

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