Читать «Айвенго / Ivanhoe» онлайн - страница 39

“I am your evil angel, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf,” replied the voice, “Think of your sins, of rebellion, of robbery, of murder!”

“Let me die in peace,” replied Front-de-Boeuf, “if you are a demon, your time has not come yet.”

“In peace you will not die,” said the voice; “before your death you will think of your murders! Think of your father! – think of his death! – think of his banquet-room flooded with his blood!”

“Go, leave me, demon! Seek the Saxon witch Ulrica who took part in this murder, let her taste of the tortures which come before hell!” answered the Baron.

“She already tastes them,” said Ulrica, stepping before Front-de-Boeuf, “Don’t shake your fist, Front-de-Boeuf—the hand which, like that of your renowned ancestor who gained your name, could have broken with one stroke the skull of a mountain-bull, is now powerless as my own!”

“Vile hag!” replied Front-de-Boeuf; “it is you?”

“Yes, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf,” answered she, “it is Ulrica! – it is the daughter of the murdered Torquil Wolfganger! – it is the sister of his slaughtered sons!”

“My servants!” exclaimed Front-de-Boeuf, “Where are you? Take this witch, and throw her down from the walls!”

“Call them again, Baron,” said the hag, with a terrible smile, “But know, mighty chief, you will not have answer or help. – Listen to the sounds of battle. The Saxons attack your walls!”

“Gods and fiends!” exclaimed the wounded knight; “O, for one moment’s strength, to drag myself there and die in battle!”

“You will not die like a knight,” replied Ulrica, “Don’t you notice the smoke? – Do you remember the fuel that is stored beneath these apartments?”

“Woman!” he exclaimed with fury, “have you set fire to it? – The castle is in flames!”

“They are fast rising,” said Ulrica, “and a signal will soon show the attackers that they should press hard upon the defenders. – Farewell, Front-de-Boeuf! – But know, if it gives you comfort to know it, that Ulrica will die with you to be the companion of your punishment as she was the companion of your guilt. – And now farewell for ever!”

So saying, she left the apartment; and Front-de-Boeuf could hear the sound of the ponderous key as she locked the door.

* * *

When the barbican was taken, the Black Knight used the interval to order his men to construct some sort of a long raft to cross the moat. This work took some time.

When the raft was completed, the Black Knight addressed his followers – “We should attack now. I will have to leave you tomorrow and an army can come from York. Follow me. Those of you who are not ready to attack will help us with your arrows. Now open the door.”

The temporary bridge was then thrown into the moat and created an unstable passage for two men at a time to cross the water. The Black Knight and Cedric ran across the bridge. There they were protected from stones and arrows by the ruins of the old bridge which still hung over the gate. The knight began to crush with his axe the gate of the castle. But their situation was now very dangerous in spite of the support of the archers.