Читать «Cup of Gold (Золотая чаша)» онлайн - страница 16

Then Elizabeth opened the door and stood framed against the inside light. The fire was behind her. Henry could see the black outline of her figure through her dress. He saw the fine curve of her legs and the swell of her hips. A wild shame filled him, for her and for himself. Without thought and without reason he ran away into the dark, gasping and almost sobbing under his breath.

Old Robert looked up hopefully when the boy came into the room, and then the hope died away and he turned quickly to the fire. But Mother Morgan jumped from her seat and went angrily to Henry.

"What is this foolishness? You going to the Indies!" she demanded.

"But, Mother, I must go; truly I must-and father understands.

Can't you hear how the Indies are calling to me?"

"That I cannot! It's wicked nonsense is in it. A little child you are, and not to be trusted from home at all.

Besides, your own father is going to tell you it may not be."

The strong jaw of the boy set like a rock and the muscles stood out in his cheeks. Suddenly there came a flash of anger into his eyes.

"Then, Mother, if you will not understand, I tell you that I am going the morrow-in spite of all of you."

Hurt pride chased incredulity from her face, and that, too, passed, leaving only pain. She shrank from the bewildering hurt. And Henry, when he saw what his words had done, went quickly to her.

"I'm sorry, Mother-so very sorry; but why can you not let me go as my father can? I don't want to hurt you, but I must go. Won't you see that?" He put his arm about her, but she would not look at him.

Her eyes stared blankly straight in front of her.

She was so sure that her view was right. Throughout her life she had insulted and browbeaten and scolded her family, and they had known her little tyranny to be the outcropping of her love for them.

But now that one of them, and he the child, had used the tone she spoke with every hour, it made a grim hurt that might never be quite healed again.

"You spoke with Merlin? What did he say to you? asked Robert from the hearth.

Henry's mind flashed quickly to Elizabeth. "He talked of things that are not in my belief," he said.

"Well-it was only a chance," murmured Robert. "You've hurt your mother badly, boy," he went on.

"I've never seen her so-so quiet." Then Robert straightened himself and his voice became firm.

"I have five pounds for you, son. It's little enough; I suppose I might give you a small matter more, but not enough to help much. And here is a letter recommending you to my brother, Sir Edward. He went out before the king was murdered, and for some reason-perhaps because he was quiet-old Cromwell has let him stay. If he is there when you come to Jamaica, you may present this letter; but it's a cold, strange man who takes great pride in his rich acquaintance, and might be a little annoyed with a poor relative. And so I do not know that good will come of this letter. He would dislike you unless you were able to see nothing funny in a man who looks like me, only strides about with a silver sword and plumes on his head. I laughed once, and he has not been a near brother to me since. But keep the letter, it may help you with other people if not with your uncle."