Читать «Cup of Gold (Золотая чаша)» онлайн - страница 108

Henry glanced with apprehension at the soldiers who surrounded him. "Am I under arrest?" he asked of the cavalier who walked beside him.

"Under arrest!" The man laughed. "No! We couldn't arrest you if we would. The mob would tear us to pieces. And if we did succeed in the arrest, they would rip out the stones of the jail with their fingers to free you. You do not realize what you are to these people, sir. For days they have talked of nothing save your coming. But the Governor wants to see you immediately, sir. He couldn't come here himself for obvious reasons."

They arrived at the mansion of the Governor.

"Captain Morgan," said Governor Moddyford, when they were alone, "I don't know whether my news is good or bad. Word of your conquest has come to the ears of the King. Both of us are ordered to England."

"But I had a commission-" Henry began.

The fat head and shoulders of the Governor shook a sad negative. "Now I wouldn't mention the commission, Captain, if I were you, even though I myself did issue it. There are clauses in your commission which might get us both criticized. As it is, we may be hanged: but I don't know-I don't know. Of course, there is peace between Spain and England-but no good feeling, none at all. The King is angry with us, but I think a few thousand pounds distributed in the right quarters might placate him were he mad with rage. The English people is filled with joy over the conquest. Don't worry about it, Captain; certainly I do not." He looked keenly into Henry's eyes. "I hope, sir, that you can spare those few thousands when the time comes."

Said Henry, officially, "I have tried to serve the spirit of my sovereign's wish, not the outward play of his politics." And then, "Surely, Sir Charles; I have enough to buy the King's favor though it cost half a million. They say the King is a good man and a judge of fine women, and I never knew one such not to need money."

"There is another thing, Captain," said the Governor uneasily. "Your uncle was killed some time ago. His daughter is here in my house. Sir Edward was nearly penniless when he died. Of course, you understand, we would like to have her stay here with us always, but I do not think she is quite happy. I think she chafes under what she thinks is charity. You will look to her welfare, of course. Sir Edward died nobly and was commended by the King, but after all the commendation of the Crown cannot be spent."

Henry smiled. "My uncle would have died nobly. I am sure this uncle of mine made every move in his life-yes, even to the paring of his nails-as though the complete peerage were looking on, ready to make critical comments.