CHAPTER XIV
A STRANGE DUEL
Now, Francis Stafford knew but little of the noble art of fencing. Onceor twice her father had given her the foils and shown her some of theattitudes and thrusts, but beyond that her knowledge did not extend. Itwas with considerable trepidation, therefore, that she thought of theapproaching combat.
"Marry!" she mused. "Were it not that Master Devereaux would impute it tofear I would not engage in such contest. It is not befitting my maidendignity, and I know my mother would not approve. Yet there have beenmaiden warriors, why should there not be maiden duelists. I doubt not,were the truth known, that there have been many. But howsoe'er that maybe, my father, I know, would not like me to submit to the implication offear; albeit I would not harm the lad even though he be the son of myfather's enemy."
Through the watches of the night the question of swordsmanship troubledher, and when the morning came she had reached no solution of thedifficulty.
"I dare not appeal to any who know my sex," she thought as she took herplace among the pages that swarmed one of the ante-chambers. "I wouldthat I knew of one that would teach me to thrust and to parry."
While she was thus musing a courtier approached her. He was gorgeouslyarrayed. Jewels to a fabulous amount adorned his person. Even upon hispantoufles or shoes were large pearls instead of the roses beloved of thegallants. His beard was pointed, his eyes set close together; his manner,when he chose, was irresistible, and his smile very winning. There was apipe of the new found tobacco in his mouth,--a weed that had just beenimported from the new world.
"My fair lad," said the courtier removing his pipe, and speaking in thebroad soft accent of Devonshire, "I have not marked thy face before. Artnew to the court?"
"Yes, my lord," answered Francis noting with delight the accent. "I amFrancis Stafford from Hampshire, but newly arrived at the court. Butthou, thou art from Devon, I am sure. It is my mother's native heath."
"True, boy; I am from Devon. Sayst thou that thy mother is from thatshire? Then thou and I should be good friends. Bethink you! Could youplay Hermes for me to one of the maids of honor?"
"I could, my lord. But prithee tell me whom I serve?" and the girl lookedeagerly into his face.
"I am Walter Raleigh," answered he. "This weed hath given me somewhat offame."
"Nay;" said Francis quickly. "Not the weed but thine own achievements."
"By my faith, thou art as silvery tongued as Orpheus with his lute," saidSir Walter with a smile. "Mark me, boy! I would not that any should knowof this message, least of all the queen. 'Tis not that there is aught ofharm in it, lad. As thou art new to the court thou mayest not know thatit is not permitted to any to deem any fair save the queen, and so we aresometimes forced to send tokens sub rosa."
"I know, Sir Walter," said Francis sadly. "'Tis for that very self-samecause that I am here."
"Then, lad, we understand each other. Know you Mistress ElizabethThrockmorton, one of the queen's maids?"
"Nay; 'tis but my second day in the palace," replied Francis.
"Then must I show her to thee," said Sir Walter. "As Her Majesty goes totake the air upon the river to-day I will linger a little behind. Whenthe maids of honor come forth, mark well my action. As they pass I willdrop my glove at the feet of her who is Elizabeth Throckmorton."
"I will note thy action, Sir Walter, and give to the lady thy token insuch manner that none save the fair one herself shall be the wiser."
"Good, my lad! Thou art a true Hermes. As gracious in thy service as wasever that messenger of the gods. Thou wilt make me thy debtor athousandfold. What guerdon dost thou wish?"
"Nay, Sir Walter; I want nothing. 'Tis pleasing to me to be of service tothee."
"Why, boy, 'tis the custom of the court to take all that one can get,"cried Sir Walter who was noted for that very thing. "Hast thou no favorto ask? No desire of thine inmost heart?"
"Oh," cried the girl as a thought darted into her mind, looking at himtimidly, "if I might be beholden to you for one favor. If thou wouldst,Sir Walter----" she paused.
"Speak on, lad," said Raleigh kindly. "Thou are not the first to preferrequest for service. In truth thou wouldst be a rara avis shouldst thounot demand something. There lives no man, nor woman, nor child at thecourt who hath not his own end to further. Therefore speak and say what Ishall give thee."
"Sir Walter," said Francis emboldened by his words, "thou art a greatswordsman and noted for thy skill in the use of that weapon. Impart to methat knowledge, I beseech you."
"Is that thy wish?" cried Sir Walter in amazement. "Right willingly willI teach thee, for I perceive that thou art a lad of parts. 'Tis an artthat is more excellent than any other military exercise, because there isvery great and general use thereof. Not only in general wars, but alsoin particular combats. Seek me anon, and I will soon make thee a masterof the sword."
With a dazzling smile he left her. Francis repaired to the courtyard toawait the coming of the queen and her maidens.
The royal barge, manned by watermen attired in regal liveries, lay at thefoot of the great stairs which ascended from the river. The yeomen of theguard in scarlet jerkins with halberds in their hands, guarded thepassage from the palace to the waterside. Presently the ushers issuedfrom the mansion, flanked by a band of gentlemen pensioners. After this,amidst a crowd of ladies and gentlemen, came Elizabeth herself.
Sir Walter Raleigh walked by the queen, but, as if pushed back from hisposition by the press of people who crowded to see her, he droppedslightly to the rear. As the ladies went gaily by, laughing and talking,he let fall his gauntlet just in front of a beautiful girl. Recoveringthe glove as Elizabeth looked about inquiringly for him he resumed hisplace by her side. He was in high favor at this time, and consequentlyobliged to be in constant attendance upon her.
Francis looked attentively at the lady so indicated and followed themaids as unobtrusively as possible to the boats. The young ladies ofhonor were to be in a boat by themselves with two older ladies forchaperons. As soon as the girl perceived this she pushed forward boldly,and, with true page-like officiousness, proffered her services to thebeautiful Elizabeth Throckmorton.
"I have a page of mine own in attendance, young sir," said the lady witha smile. "Nathless I thank you for your courtesy."
"Fair lady," said Francis in a low tone, "hast ever heard of Hermes?"
"He was the messenger of the gods, sir," returned she in surprise."Why?"
"Because I am he," returned the supposed page with a bow. "Albeit I comenot from the gods. 'Twas Eros who sent me, therefore, I beseech you topermit me to hand you to the boat."
With a laugh and a deep blush Mistress Throckmorton extended her hand,and Francis led her to the barge, leaving the missive of Sir Walter inthe maiden's soft palm.
Later in the day, receiving a summons from Raleigh she hastened to himand reported the success of her mission. "Gramercy, boy! thou wert mostgallant in the delivery," laughed Sir Walter. "And now for thy firstlesson with the sword." And soon the two were deep in the mysteries offencing.
"Every man should be master of this weapon," declared the sailor whenFrancis, exhausted by the swift play of the blades, sank down for a fewmoments' rest. "Even though one be small of stature and weak of strength,dexterity with the sword may make him master of a much larger adversary.I could tell thee tales, lad, as would make thy hair to rise of the way Ihave seen the sword used. Have to, boy! I have but little more time togive thee. Thou art an apt scholar! So! that was a good parry. A littleremoving of the foot, a sudden turning of the hands, a slight decliningof the body, and thine opponent is at thy mercy. So, lad, so!"
_THE TWO WERE DEEP IN THE MYSTERIES OF FENCING_]
The fencing lesson was repeated the next day. Francis no longer dreadedthe meeting with Edward Devereaux, and when the night fell, she stoleaway to the dueling place confident that she would be the victor in theaffair.
There was no one at the wicket of the western gate, and she sat down to
await the coming of her adversary with impatience. The broad yellow beamsof the full moon lighted up the open spaces of the park with a brightnessas if the sun had just set while the shadows under the trees were darkerand heavier by contrast. Numerous statues gleamed in the pale light likeghosts newly risen from their sepulchres. Fountains threw jets of waterinto the air, caught the moonbeams, and fell again into their basins inshowers of molten silver. A light breeze ruffled the leaves and came withrefreshing coolness after the sultriness of the day. All was still savefor the music of the night bird of song. The beauty of the scene, themelody of the nightingales, oppressed Francis with a sense ofmelancholy.
"Am I doing aright," she said aloud. "Surely I could do naught elseunless I betrayed my sex. Now the matter hath gone so far that I mustbear myself as if I were in sooth a boy. But I will not kill the lad.Only make him acknowledge my skill with the deer. I would that he wouldcome. I know not why, but I feel my courage departing from me in theloneliness of the night."
At this instant, as if in answer to her wish, there was the sound ofhurried footsteps, and soon the form of Edward Devereaux appeared amongthe trees.
"I crave thy pardon, Master Stafford," he cried, "if I have kept theewaiting. Sir Christopher Hatton detained me, and I could not come sooner.Draw and defend thyself."
He drew his own sword as he spoke and threw himself on guard. Without oneword of reply Francis placed herself on the defensive. And then began acurious scene. Parry, thrust and parry--the steel rattled, and thestrange duel was on. The nightingales ceased their singing as if amazedat the folly of the human things. The only sound that fell upon the airbesides the clash of the blades was the labored breathing of thecontestants. Francis' new-found knowledge stood her well in hand, and shepressed her opponent furiously. Suddenly she made a false step----
"A hit! a hit!" cried Edward Devereaux.
As the rapier entered her right arm the weakness of her sex overcame thegirl. She uttered a faint cry, and, for the first time in her life, fellin a dead faint.
In Doublet and Hose: A Story for Girls Page 14