Читать «Айвенго / Ivanhoe» онлайн - страница 33

“Let it be so,” said Front-de-Boeuf. And he sent a servant to show Wamba the way to the apartment where Cedric and Athelstane were kept.

“Pax vobiscum,” said the Jester, entering the apartment; “the blessing of St Dunstan, St Dennis, St Duthoc, and all other saints be upon you.”

“Enter freely,” answered Cedric to the supposed friar; “what do you want with us?”

“To ask you to prepare yourselves for death,” answered the Jester.

“It is impossible!” replied Cedric, “They will not dare to kill us!”

“They will,” said the Jester, “so think, noble Cedric and Athelstane, what crimes you have committed during your life, because today you will be called to answer at a higher tribunal.”

“I am ready,” said Athelstane, “and will walk to my death as calmly as to my dinner.”

“Let us begin then, father,” said Cedric.

“Wait a moment, good uncle,” said the Jester, in his natural tone; “you should look long before you leap in the dark.”

“I know that voice!” said Cedric.

“It belongs to your slave and jester,” answered Wamba, taking off his hood. “Take this cloak and walk quietly out of the castle, leaving me your clothes.”

“But they will kill you!” said Cedric.

“Let them do so,” said Wamba.

“Wamba,” answered Cedric, “you shoud save Lord Athelstane instead of me.”

“No, by St Dunstan,” answered Wamba; “my good master, either go yourself, or let me leave as free as I entered.”

“Go, father Cedric,” said Athelstane, “I would rather remain in this hall a week without food than escape instead of you.”

“Is there any chance of rescue?” asked Cedric.

“Chance? Five hundred men are outside this castle and they are ready to attack. So farewell, my master, and good luck. Remember your faithful fool.”

The tears stood in Cedric’s eyes.

“You will never be forgotten,” he said, “but I hope I will save you all. Wait, I don’t know Latin, how will I pretend to be a monk?”

“You need only two words,” replied Wamba, “‘Pax vobiscum’. These words will open every door.”

On his way to the hall of the castle, Cedric was interrupted by a female form.

“Come this way, father,” – said the harsh voice of Urfried, “you are a stranger in this castle, and need a guide. Come here, I want to speak with you.”

* * *

Urfried led Cedric into a small apartment and shut the door. Then she took a bottle of wine and two cups from a cupboard and put them on the table. “You are Saxon, father—Don’t deny it,” she said, “I love to hear the sounds of my native language.”

“Do not Saxon priests visit this castle, then?” replied Cedric.

“They don’t come,” answered Urfried, “but you are a Saxon priest, and I have one question to ask of you.”

“I am a Saxon,” answered Cedric, “but unworthy, surely, of the name of priest. Let me go—I swear I will return, or send one of our fathers more worthy to hear your confession.”

“Stay,” said Urfried; “I will soon be dead, but I don’t want to die without confession. Wine must give me strength to tell my horrible story.” She poured wine in the two cups. “Drink it, father, if you want to hear my story without falling to the floor.” Cedric didn’t want to drink, but the woman seemed impatient and he decided to do what she asked. Then she began her story.