the caged lion-第36节
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might find herself married forcibly； for a bishop could afford to disregard the resistance of a bride。
Would Malcolmwould his kingconsent to her being thus treated？
As to Malcolm； he seemed to her too munch changed for her to reckon on what remnant of good feeling there might be to appeal to in him。 And James； though he was certain not to permit palpable coercion in his presence； or even if he were aware that it was contemplated； seemed to have left the whole management of the affair to Esclairmonde's own guardians； and they would probably avoid driving matters to extremities that would revolt him； while he was near enough for an appeal。 And Esclairmonde was too uncertain whether her guardians would resort to such lengths； or whether it were not a vain threat of the giddy Countess； to compromise her dignity by crying out before she was hurt； and she had no security； save that she was certain that in the English household of King Henry such violence would not be attempted； and out of reach of that protection she never ventured。
Once she said to Henry； 'My only hope is in God and in you； my lord。'
And Henry bent his head； saying； 'Noble lady； I cannot interfere； but while you are in my house； nothing can be done with you against your will。'
Yet even Henry was scarcely what he had been in all…pervading vigilance and readiness。 Like all real kings of men； he had been his own prime minister； commander…in…chief； and private secretary； transacting a marvellous amount of business with prompt completeness； and when； in the midst of shattered health which he would not avow； the cares of two kingdoms； and the generalship of an army； with all its garrisons； rested on him； his work would hardly have been accomplished but for his brother's aid。 It was never acknowledged； often angrily disdained。 But when John of Bedford had watched the terrible lassitude and lethargy that weighed on the King at times in the midst of his cabinet work； he was constantly on the watch to relieve him； and his hand and style so closely resembled Henry's that the difference could scarce be detected； and he could do what none other durst attempt。 Many a time would Henry； whose temper had grown most uncertain； fiercely rate him for intermeddling； but John knew and loved him too well to heed； and his tact and unobtrusiveness made Henry rely on him more and more。
If the illness had only been confessed； those who watched the King anxiously would have had more hope； but he was hotly angered at any hint of his needing care； and though he sometimes relieved oppression by causing himself to be bled by a servant； he never allowed that anything ailed him； it was always the hot weather； the anxious tidings； the long pageant that wearied himthings that were wont to be like gnats on a lion's mane。
Those solemn banquets and festivalslasting from forenoon till eventide； with their endless relays of allegorical subtleties； their long…winded harangues； noisy music； interludes of giants； sylvan men； distressed damsels； knights…errant on horseback； ships and forests coming in upon wheels； and fulsome compliments that must be answered… …had been always his aversion； and were now so heavy an oppression that Bedford would have persuaded the Queen to curtail them。 But to the fair Catherine this appeared an unkind endeavour of her disagreeable brother…in…law； to prevent her from shining in her native city； and eclipsing the Burgundian pomp； and she opened her soft brown eyes in dignified displeasure； answering that she saw nothing amiss with the King； and she likewise complained to her husband of his brother's jealousy of her welcome from her own people； bringing on him one of Henry's most bitter sentences。
Henry would only have had her abate somewhat of the splendour that gratified her； because he did not think it becoming to outshine her parents； but Catherine scorned the notion。 Her old father would know nothing； or would smile in his foolish way to see her so brave； and for her mother； she recked not so long as she had a larded capon before her： nor was it possible to make the young queen understand that this fatuity and feebleness were the very reasons for deferring to them。
The ordering of the feast fell to Catherine and her train； and its splendours on successive days had their full development； greatly to the constraint and weariness； among others； of Esclairmonde； who was always assigned to Malcolm Stewart； and throughout these long days had to be constantly repressing him； not that he often durst make her any direct compliment； for he was usually quelled into anxious wistful silence； and merely eyed her earnestly； paying her every attention in his power。 And such a silent tedious meal was sure to be remarked； either with laughing rudeness by Countess Jaqueline； or with severe reproof by the Bishop of Therouenne； both of whom assured her that she had better lay aside her airs； and resign herself in good part； for there was no escape for her。
One day； however； when the feast was at the Hotel de Bourgogne； and there were some slight differences in the order of the guests； the Duke of Bedford put himself forward as the Lady Esclairmonde's cavalier； so much to her relief； that her countenance； usually so guarded； relaxed into the bright； sweet smile of cheerfulness that was most natural to her。 Isolated as the pairs at the table were； and with music braying in a gallery just above； there was plenty of scope for conversation； and once again Esclairmonde was talking freely of the matters regarding the distress in Paris； that Bedford had consulted her upon before he became so engrossed with his brother's affairs； or she so beset by her persecutors。
Towards the evening； when the feast had still some mortal hours to last； there fell a silence on the Duke； and at length； when the music was at the loudest； he said 'Lady； I have watched for this moment。 You are persecuted。 Look not on me as one of your persecutors； but if no other refuge be open to you； here is one who might know better how to esteem you than that malapert young Scot。'
'How； Sir？' exclaimed Esclairmonde； amazed at these words from the woman…hating Bedford。
'Make no sudden reply；' said John。 'I had never thought of you save as one consecrate； till； when I see you like to be hunted down into the hands of yon silly lad； I cannot but thrust between。 My brother would willingly consent； and； if I may but win your leave to love you； lady； it will be with a heart that has yearned to no other woman。'
He spoke low and steadily； looking straight before him； with no visible emotion； save a little quiver in the last sentence； a slight dilating of the delicately cut nostril； and then he was silent； until； having recovered the self…restraint that had been failing him； he prevented the words she was trying to form by saying； 'Not in haste； lady。 There is time yet before you to bethink yourself whether you can be free in will and conscience。 If so； I will bear you through all。'
How invitingly the words fell on the lonely heart； so long left to fight its own battles！ There came for the first time the full sense of what life might be； the shielding tenderness； the sure reliance； the pure affection； such as she saw Henry lavish on the shallow Queen； but which she could meet and requite in John。 The brutal Boemond； the childish Malcolm； had aroused no feeling in her but dislike or pity； and to them a convent was infinitely preferable； but Bedfordthe religious； manly； brave； unselfish Bedfordopened to her the view of all that could content a high…souled woman's heart； backed； moreover； by the wonder of having been the first to touch such a spirit。
It would not have been a mesalliance。 Her family was one of the grandest of the Netherlands； the saintly Emperor； Henry of Luxemburg； was her ancestor； and Bedford's proposal was not a condescension such as to rouse her sense of dignity。 His rank did not strike her as did his lofty stainless character； the like of which she had never known to exist in the world of active life till she saw the brothers of England； who came more near to the armed saints and holy warriors of Church legend than her fancy had thought mortal man could do； bred as she had been in the sensual； violent； and glittering Burgundy of the fifteenth century。 In truth； as Malcolm had thought the cloister the only refuge from the harshness and barbarism of Scotland； so Esclairmonde had thought piety and purity to be found nowhere else； and both had found the Court of Henry V。 an infinitely better world than they had supposed possible； but； until the present moment； Esclairmonde had never felt the slightest call to take a permanent place there。 Now however the cloister； even if it were open to her； presented a gloomy； cheerless life of austerity； in comparison with human affection and matronly duty。 And most vivid of all at the moment was the desire to awaken the tender sweetness that slept in those steady gray eyes； to see the grave； wise visage gleam with smiling affection； and to rest in having one to take thought for her； and finish this long term of tossing about and self…defence。 Was not the patience with which he kept his eyes away from her already a proof of his considera
