With Ring of Shield

by Knox Magee

  CHAPTER XVII

  AT THE SANCTUARY

  That night my sleep was troubled with strange and fantastic dreams. Iknow not how many different forms these delusions took; but through allthese tormenting and hideous scenes, in which I seemed to be playing atroubled part, there was one person present which ever prevented thefinal calamity from falling upon my head. No sooner was I saved fromcertain destruction in one form than the dream was changed, gradually,and, after passing through a cloudy stage, again was I strugglingagainst some fearful monster. Then would this friend, the face of whomI could not see, stretch forth a mighty arm and brush the awfulcreature from my chest, where he was perched, crushing out my life.

  At last even the cords of sleep, with which I had been so securelybound, could bear the strain no longer; so I awoke to find myselfcompletely worn out, from my struggles with these phantom foes.

  It was still too early for the inmates of the Palace to be stirring.

  "'Tis well that I awoke when I did," thought I; "for a double reason.First, had I slept much longer I had surely been strangled by thoseaccursed monsters; and second, I now may leave the Palace, and proceedto the Sanctuary, without fear of arousing suspicion, and therefore, ofbeing followed." For truly, my dears, I began to fear that I mightsoon find myself in the Tower, were I to be seen having any relationswith the Queen; and I felt sure that Catesby would give his right handto see my headless corpse.

  I hastily dressed myself and repaired unto my friend's quarters. I hadsome difficulty in arousing him without disturbing those in theadjoining apartments; for Harleston admitted that naught but the soundof the last trump could ever awaken him until he had finished baskingin the sunny smiles of the Goddess of Sleep. As this speech of hiscame to my mind I could not help but shudder as I thought of thetreatment that faithfully-worshipped Goddess had bestowed upon me.Instead of smiling, how cruelly had she frowned.

  At length I succeeded in drawing forth a lazy enquiry as to who I wasand what was my business.

  "Come, Harleston, bestir thyself, for the love of Heaven. Sleeping atthis time of the day? 'Tis absurd," called I, gently, through thekeyhole.

  "Ah! Walter, it is thou," said Harleston, as he opened the door."Heigh-ho! why, art thou completely dressed already? What hour is it?"he asked, as he made a frantic effort to dislocate his shoulders, neckand jaw, all at one and the same time.

  "'Tis almost sun up, and we must be stirring and proceed unto theSanctuary before the others do arise, that we may not be observed."

  "Ah! a good idea, Bradley. One moment and I will be with thee," hesaid, as he began hastily to dress. He was soon ready, so we crossedover.

  The Queen, her family, and the girls, were at matins when we asked tobe permitted to enter; so we were compelled to walk up and down beforethe door, and bide our time as best we could until her Majesty hadfinished her devotions; for at that time it was even more difficult toobtain admittance to the Sanctuary than it had been at any other, onaccount of her Majesty being within its sacred walls.

  At the end of what seemed to us an age, but what in reality must havebeen but a very short space, for anxious love makes the moments intohours, the slide in the door was pushed back and a not unpleasant voiceasked what names we might wish to send unto the Queen.

  "Sir Frederick Harleston and Sir Walter Bradley, but late returned fromLudlow with the King, pray to be admitted to the presence of the Queen,as we have information that is of importance to her Majesty," said I.

  Again the sliding panel was closed, and again were we compelled tostruggle with our impatient spirits. But this time it was not forlong. Presently the slide was opened to the width of a lady's hand.To this opening was applied an eye, beautifully draped with long andcurling, dark brown lashes, through which that orb--the truetransmitter of the workings of the soul--sparkled with expectancy andlove, like a precious jewel held in a gentle shadow. And indeed whatjewel could equal it in preciousness? For it belonged to Hazel. Thenthe door flew open, and we were locked in each other's arms in ashorter space of time than one might draw a breath in.

  Seldom, if ever, had that holy house been the scene of such a meeting.Verily, it is a wonder that we were not struck dead for daring to thusdemonstrate our love in that cold, consecrated edifice, where one isscarce expected to draw a breath, except for the purpose of praying.But mayhap this house had become used to unholy men, during the wars ofthe white rose with the red. Be this as it may, nothing of harm befellus for our conduct.

  "Oh! my dear, fair flower," I cried, as my lips touched her on theforehead; "great is my joy at seeing thee, as is my sorrow that thoushouldst be compelled to thus seek safety from those accursedscoundrels which now surround our King."

  "Walter, dear, I think not of that, now that thou art again returned tome. But come," she said suddenly, as she remembered my mission, "theQueen awaits thee anxiously; so let us go to her at once. Afterwardswe may talk, as I have much to tell thee."

  "Hast thou no word for Sir Frederick?" I asked, as we started down thecorridor.

  "Ah! Sir Frederick, thou must forgive me;" said Hazel, in confusion,"but I was so surprised and--"

  "Yes, yes," interrupted Harleston, with a smile, "I quite understand.Indeed, Lady Hazel, thine oversight carries not with it the sting ofslight; for, under the circumstances, I had been a churl indeed to havebeen offended by such a pretty show of love's one-heartedness."

  This brought a succession of crimson waves to Hazel's lovely face,adding to its beauty as does the evening sunlight to the rose.

  "But how knowest thou so much of these things that thou dost speak of?"she asked, as she looked up at Harleston's face with her head held tothe one side and a smile of triumph playing about her mouth. "Surelyone could not discourse so learnedly on any subject without having hadpractical experience."

  Harleston was fairly taken aback; but as he attempted to stammer outsomething in reply we came to her Majesty's room; so Sir Frederick waspermitted to escape Hazel's criticism of his explanation.

  We were admitted to the Queen's presence by her son, the Marquis ofDorset, who met us at the door.

  "Ah! my friends," said he, pleasantly, "I am indeed pleasured that yehave come. Her Majesty and I have been awaiting your arrival withgreat anxiety; for we would hear from your lips the recital of thatunhappy and treacherous event which took place at Stony Stratford."

  "Yes," said the Queen, "well would I like to hear a fuller descriptionof that which happened to our dear relatives and friends, than wasgiven in your letter to me, or rather to Hazel," she corrected.

  Harleston here left me to be spokesman, whilst he, by some admirablemanoeuvring, made his way unto the other end of the room, where wassitting Mary, apparently most busily engaged in stitching upon a pieceof tapestry. Whilst faithfully I told the story of Gloucester'streachery, which I have already put down, and therefore need notrepeat, my friend approached Mary, who appeared not to see him until hestood before her. I say she appeared to not see him; and yet this isnot exactly correct. I should say she tried to appear to have not seenhim. But what then caused that hand of lily whiteness so gently totremble, like an aspen leaf? And that bosom of Venus' mould to riseand fall so quickly, if it were not that the heart beneath had buriedin its core the fire-pointed arrow shot by that lovely tyrant, Cupid,with such unerring accuracy as had put Robin Hood to shame?

  When at length she did look up it was with the pleasant smile withwhich she would greet a friend from whom she had parted but an hourbefore. Evidently Mary was becoming more timid, and using the greatercare to conceal her feeling the more hopelessly she felt herselfentangled in love's silken meshes. As is ever the case with those ofproud spirit, when they are fairly trapped, they play the indifferent,to conceal their real feelings from the eyes of their captors, or thecurious. However, ere I had finished the telling of the tale to theQueen, Mary had changed her manner as she would a garment, and stoodbefore Harleston, looking up in to his face, as though drinking in hisev
ery word. I know not what was the tale he was unfolding; but of onething I am certain, and that is, it was not the same as I was tellingto the Queen. This could I see by the expression upon Mary's face,which reflected nothing if not pleasure.

  When I had finished with my story, the Queen, in her gentle look,thanked me for the service. "But oh! Sir Walter, I have yet greatertrouble than the fate of those at Pomfret," said her Majesty, aftersitting with folded hands and gazing with fixed eyes into vacancy.

  "Yes, madam, and what may be worse than the evil fate of those welove?" I asked, though I knew full well what would be her answer.

  "Yestere'en," she said, "Cardinal Bouchier, accompanied by the Bishopof York, came here to see me. When admitted the Cardinal fawned, as ishis custom, and with oily tongue informed me that my late husband'shump-backed brother desired my little Prince, the Duke of York, to bepermitted to attend his brother's coronation.

  "'Go back to him that sent thee and say that the Queen, the littlePrince's mother, hath the Duke of York in her own keeping, where heprefers to be, instead of with his uncle.'

  "'But, madam,' said the Bishop, 'the little King desires to have hisbrother with him, that he may not be lonely.'

  "'He should be permitted to come and tell his mother so, instead ofresting as a prisoner, the which mayhap he is," I replied.

  "'Nay, madam, truly,' said the Bishop, 'it is the King's own will thatdoth not permit him to come and see your Majesty.'

  "'And why, sir, may I ask?' Then, without waiting for his answer, Icontinued:--'Ah yes, I understand. His Highness, the Protector, hathpoisoned the boy's mind against his mother. A fit act for his RoyalHighness.'

  "'No, madam, I am sure that thou dost wrong the Duke, who is filledwith all respect and love for your Majesty,' put in the Cardinal.

  "'Ay, my Lord Cardinal,' I replied, 'well hath he shown his love for meand mine. Look at the prisoners at Pomfret, which never did offence toGloucester, except that the love they bore my late lamented husband andhis family hath stirred up anger in his savage bosom.'

  "'Nay, indeed, your Majesty, thou dost abuse and misjudge the Duke ofGloucester,' said the Cardinal. 'As I understand the matter, it isthis,' he continued; 'Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and Sir ThomasVaughan, were suspected of some plot against the King's freedom, andDuke Richard, when he learned of it, caused these three gentlemen to bedetained until after the King is crowned, when it shall be for hisMajesty to decide whether they shall be set at liberty or no.'

  "'A pretty tale indeed is this about a plot to gain control of theKing's person,' I replied with scorn. 'My Lord Cardinal, no one knowsbetter than dost thou that my brother would be the last to so conspireagainst my son. 'Tis but a lie, devised by that accursed Richard!' Icried, as mine indignation began to gain ascendency over my betterreason, 'to shield his own black treason. Well do I believe, my LordCardinal, that this limping villain desires but to gain control of bothmy sons, that he may work his will upon them; and God, or rather thedevil, and himself do know what that may be. And be assured of this,Master Cardinal!' I almost shrieked, to such a state of fury had thisrehearsal of my wrongs aroused me, 'I shall not permit my tender son,the Duke of York, to fall into the hands of that traitorous cur, solong as this Sanctuary stands to protect the gentle babe. Gloucesterhath already, through treachery, obtained control of one of my prettychildren; but so long as his mother can protect the other be thouassured, good Cardinal, that hump-backed Gloucester shall not controlhim.'"

  The Queen, as she said these words, in her excitement arose from herchair and, standing like a statue before me, her head thrown a littleaback, her nostrils slightly distended, like those of a horse that hathjust scented fresh-spilled blood, and her whole pose bespeakingresolution and defiance, looked like some angry Goddess about to hurldestruction upon those which had been the cause of her anger. Verily,my children, this was indeed a Queen.

  My soul was so filled with admiration for this noble and unfortunatewoman that I needs must kneel at her feet and kiss the hem of her gown.

  "Arise, Sir Walter," said her Majesty, tenderly; "I do not deserve suchhomage. This trouble is but God's punishment for so neglecting hiscommands, when I was in a position of power. Ah, my friend, sorrowdoth tame the haughty spirit and maketh us to realize that we must livefor other purposes than the fulfilment of our ambitious dreams.

  "Thou mayest think it strange in me to thus take thee into myconfidence and tell thee of my troubles. But this, I tell thee, SirWalter, is the reason. Thy father was ever a faithful servant andfriend of my dear husband's house; and had King Edward lived thou hadstbeen raised to considerable power. Thou hast proven thy loyalty to me,even in my trouble, when those which have received, at my hand, thegreatest honours have deserted, what seems to them, a sinking ship.Besides all this, my soul must needs pour out its grief on somesympathetic ear. Therefore I tell thee this story of the troubles of aQueen which, whilst her husband lived, had scarce to express a wish,and the policy of an empire changed as does the wind. To-day she seekssafety for herself and family within the precincts of a Sanctuary, thanwhich place, where is safer? And even it is not."

  "Come, madam, thou must not yet despair," said Dorset, tenderly, as hesaw tears rushing unto his mother's eyes. "Surely Gloucester dare notdo harm to the little Duke."

  "Ah, my son," replied the Queen, "well do I know that thou dost speakthus to lighten my heart with hopes of safety for my little Prince.

  "But Sir Walter has not yet heard all of my conversation with theChurchmen. When I had finished my declaration that Gloucester shouldnot have my son, so long as Westminster would protect me," continuedthe Queen, as she again took her seat, "the Cardinal, with a look ofgreat sorrow, which methinks was feigned--for well do I believe him tobe of Gloucester's party--again spoke:--'Then, your Majesty,' said he,'it is only left for me to deliver the rest of the Protector's message.Believe me, madam, I would rather have my tongue torn from my throatthan be the bearer of such a message unto your Majesty.'

  "'Come, cease thy snivelling, and deliver thy message,' said I. 'Thouart but a lackey messenger, and therefore thou art not responsible foraught that thy master doth say, of insult though it be.' This offenceto him mayhap was not good policy, but methinks it had made but littledifference even had I spoken in more gentle tone," said the Queen,addressing herself to me.

  "'Well then, madam,' said the Cardinal, with a great show of offendeddignity; though how he came by it I know not, 'hear the complement ofthe Lord Protector's message. In case thou dost still persevere inthine obstinate refusal to deliver the young Duke into the hands of hisduly appointed guardian, his Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester,his aforesaid Royal Highness, the Protector, by this act of thine, andby no desire or willingness of his, must needs obey the wishes of theKing and take the aforesaid little Prince from this place by force;which act, in any other case than this, shouldst be a sacrilege, and anoffence most grievous unto Heaven.'

  "'What! tellest thou me that Gloucester dare to take from a Sanctuaryone that hath taken refuge there?' I cried.

  "'Indeed, madam, he surely will,' replied the Cardinal.

  "'And wilt thou, a Cardinal, permit such an insult to a house of God?'I asked.

  "'Ah! your Majesty, thou dost not understand the circumstance,' hereplied, with a smile that had cost him his head, before that hump-backcame to power.

  "'And what strange circumstance, Master Cardinal, is my son placedunder, that so permits of armed force, without the fear of God'sindignation, to take him from a Sanctuary?' I asked.

  "'It is this,' he replied. 'Your son, the Duke of York, is of tootender years to be, and in fact is not, guilty of any offence.Therefore he hath not the right of Sanctuary, which right, according tothe strict interpretation of the rules of Holy Church, belongs solelyto those standing in the fear of our Country's laws. This rule,' hecontinued, as though he shamed to say the words, 'Duke Richard will seefit to resort to, in case your Majesty should be obstinate.'

>   "'And in this hath he thine approval and help?' I cried.

  "'Nay, madam,' he replied, 'I am but the lackey messenger, andtherefore am far beneath the honour of being consulted in this matter.'

  "'Leave me, thou insolent cur!' I cried; 'How darest thou to standbefore my face and mock me? A pretty servant of God art thou, to sidewith one who hath the position of power, against what thou knowest tobe right. Be assured, sirrah, that thou shalt be reported to thymaster, the Pope at Rome, for thy disgraceful conduct in thus secondinga powerful villain against a defenceless woman. Now leave me, thouknave, and tell that slave of Hell, the Lord Protector, to send to meto-morrow, and he shall have mine answer, as to whether he shall havemy little son or no!'

  "Then, sir, he left me," said her Majesty, quietly, as she heaved agreat sigh, as though even the memory of this Churchman's departurewere a relief to her. "But here's the day come around when I must givemy final answer to Gloucester's messenger;" she continued, "and whichit is to be I am not yet determined. If I do refuse to hand my dearson over to the boar, he, verily do I believe, will carry out histhreat, and tear him rudely from me. 'Twas with the thought of gettingadvice from thee--for thou hast had good opportunities for observingthe hump-back's habits lately--as to what course I had best take, thatI did so anxiously await your coming."

  "Ah, madam," I replied, "thou dost honour me over much by asking adviceof one which hath had so little experience. Yet, since thou hast sohonoured me, I needs must tell the truth. Therefore do I say this:--Mynatural impulse is to offer what resistance thou canst, in case theDuke doth make use of force. Yet, what little of the cooler stream ofreason I have within my blood doth tell me how vain must be the effortto save the little Prince from falling into the Protector's hands,backed as that villain is by such powers as the nobles that surroundhim.

  "Now, shouldst thou grant the Duke's request and hand the little Princeover to his Highness, his position could not be worse than it now is,granting of course, that the Duke of Gloucester dare to carry out histhreat, which, I am sad to say, I fear he would not hesitate to do.Then, if thou dost decide to oppose force by force, the result ofwhich, unhappily, must be a victory for the Protector, the littlePrince might not receive the same consideration that he should were heto go to his uncle peaceably."

  "Ah, yes, Sir Walter, thou art right," replied the Queen; "yet I hadhoped to hear that my tender babe had still a chance of escaping thetusks of the bloody boar."

  "May I crave thy pardon, madam?" said Harleston, who had approachedwhilst the Queen was speaking. "Methinks I have a plan which, if thouhast time to carry it out, may yet keep the little Prince from fallinginto the hands of his uncle."

  "Let me hear it, for the love of Heaven!" cried the Queen, to whom anysuggestions of a chance of saving her son from Gloucester was as avoice from Heaven.

  "Well, madam, it is this," continued Harleston. "With all expediencylet thy son be conducted from this place, without the knowledge of theDuke of Gloucester. No doubt my Lord of Dorset knows of some place,either within the kingdom or across the channel, where the littlePrince need have no fear of falling into the Protector's hands."

  "Now, by my soul, that is well thought of!" cried the Marquis, as, inhis delight, he slapped Frederick on the shoulder.

  "Oh! I thank thee, sir, for those words of hope!" cried the Queen asshe started from her seat and, in her excitement, grasped my friend bythe hand, as though he were an equal.

  Frederick dropped to his knee and touched her fingers gently with hislips.

  "But come, we must make haste!" said her Majesty, "and have my littleson away from here before Gloucester doth send hither for him. Do thougo, my son," said she, speaking to the Marquis, "and assemble as manyof thy followers as thou canst, whilst I prepare young Richard for theflight."

  "Again, madam, may I crave permission to offer a suggestion?"interrupted Harleston.

  "Indeed I long to hear what thou hast to say," replied the Queen. "Andif thine advice shall be as good this time as it was last muchunquietness of spirit shall it save me."

  "Then, madam," said my friend, "I would advise that thou shouldst sendno other than my Lord of Dorset, to escort the little Prince. Were heto be surrounded by a body of armed men he needs must attractattention, and therefore could easily be followed. But, madam, if hegoeth unattended, except for one gentleman, no curiosity will bearoused, and then he will leave no trail behind, that may guide hispursuers, in case the Duke of Gloucester has him searched for, which'tis like he will."

  "Again art thou right," replied the Queen. "And yet," she said, as atroubled expression came into her face, "it likes me not to send mylittle son so far, without a stronger guard."

  "Still, mother, Sir Frederick's plan is safer than if we took aregiment," put in Dorset. "Besides," he continued, "I promise theethat no harm shall come unto my little brother so long as I can wield asword. And be assured, good mother, that every drop of my heart'sblood shall be spilled ere Gloucester shall wrench him from me."

  "Cold comfort for a mother," said the Queen, with a sad smile. "Then,if I lose one son, I must needs lose another. But come," she saidsuddenly, "whilst we talk here precious moments, which might be used inflight, are passing by. Go, my son, and make thee ready with all speedfor thy journey, whilst I go to prepare thy little brother."

  She followed Dorset from the room, and we were left with the girls,alone.

  Then it was that Hazel told me of the happenings at court whilst I wasabsent therefrom.

  The Queen was not long gone. When she returned she was accompanied byher little son, the Duke of York. He was fully dressed for the road.

  "Mother, I do not like to leave thee," said he, as they entered.

  "Nay, my darling, no more do I desire thee to go," returned his mother,tenderly. "But, Richard, my pet," she continued, "thou goest with thybrother, so thou needst not to be lonely. Besides, thou shalt not befor long separated from us--I hope," she added.

  "But wilt thou follow me shortly, mother dear?"

  "I hope to soon be with thee, Richard," replied his mother. Then, asthe boy began to cry, she said:--"come, my little man, thou must showthyself to be the true son of a King. Be brave, and do as thy motherdoth direct thee; then I shall be proud of my little son."

  This had the desired effect upon the proud spirit of his noble father,that was so easily discernible in this young offshoot of the proudhouse to which he belonged.

  At this moment Dorset entered, fully equipped and ready for the road.

  The Queen took the Marquis, Harleston and me, to the far end of theroom, leaving the little Duke with Hazel and Mary, from whom he seemedmost sad to part.

  "Thou hast not yet told me where thou art taking Richard," said herMajesty, in a low voice, to Dorset.

  "Nay, mother, that have I not," replied he; "for the reason that I yetknow not what place of safety can be reached the most easily; andbesides I do think it best that no fixed place should be set. When Ihave come unto some shelter, I shall leave my little brother in goodhands, and return again to thee."

  "Methinks that thy plan is a good one," said his mother, after a pause;"but what thinkest thou of it, Sir Frederick?" she asked, as she turnedto her new-found counsellor.

  "In my poor opinion," replied Harleston modestly, "it is the onlycourse left open. However, methinks 'twere best to put the channelbetwixt the little Prince and his uncle, the Protector; for well do Ibelieve that he will have all England searched, so anxious is he,madam, to obtain possession of your son."

  "Fear not;" said Dorset, "Gloucester must search with great diligence,indeed, if he be to find the little Duke. But come," he continued, "wemust take to the road at once, lest we be interrupted by foul Richard'smessenger."

  'Twas a sad sight for the eye to gaze on, that parting of the Queen andher little son. As her Majesty clasped the child in her gentle arms,and pressed him to her heart, the strong love of the mother struggledwith the cold dignity of the Queen, that had bee
n worn to bind downthat ruler of the world--love--and, as is ever the case, loveconquered, and the mother sobbed aloud.

  "Richard, my dearest treasure, no matter what may happen to thee,always remember thy mother and this, her advice," said the Queen, asher tears fell fast. "Be brave, but gentle, proud, but not haughty,firm, but not obdurate, generous, but not prodigal, and above all," sheconcluded, as she released the Duke from her protecting arms, "forgetnot to revenge any wrong that may be inflicted upon any of your family.That is Heaven's especial favour to the son of a King. Yea, 'tis evena command."

  "Always remember thy mother and this, her advice."]

  "But why, good mother, dost thou speak as though I never more might seethee?" asked the poor child, as he struggled vainly to restrain histears, and show his courage.

  "Nay, my dear, thou dost not understand my words. I did but mean thatthou shouldst leave me with a full store of advice to help thee throughthe world; for no one can foresee what may happen to us ere thou dostagain join us. Of course we trust that all things will be well, but,in these times, who but a prophet can foresee that which may happenwithin the next revolution of the sun."

  Then, after bidding their sisters and us all farewell, Dorset and youngRichard made their exit and departure from the Sanctuary, by anunfrequented way, that they might avoid the danger of being seen byeyes to which they might be known.

  As Dorset placed the boy upon his palfrey the child gave waycompletely, and, turning to his mother, with outstretched arms, a worldof sadness in his tear-dimmed eyes, he cried out, like the wail of asoul but new-condemned to an eternity of woe:--"Oh! mother dear, sendme not from thee. Let me abide with thee and with my sisters; for nowI feel within my bosom here something that maketh me to feel that if Ileave thee now I ne'er shall see thee more!"

  "Nay, nay, my dearest, God, the King of Kings, will not be so cruel.He will again unite those which truly love him and keep hiscommandments. Break not one of these by not obeying thy mother. Gowith thy brother, my dear, and thus escape the danger that here mustsoon o'ertake thee, if thou dost tarry. Go, go! our prayers followthee, and may God protect thee and still have thee in his keeping!"

  Dorset seized the palfrey's rein and started on his journey. The Queenmother stood gazing after them, and her lips still muttered prayers.Soon they were lost to view, as they turned a corner in the path.

  As the Queen slowly re-entered the Sanctuary the bell from the chapelbegan to toll for some poor soul whose body was about to be returned tomother earth, to be the food of worms. As the bell rang out, like asoul-rending cry of anguish, the Queen started as though she had beenstabbed. "A bad omen," I heard her mutter, as she leaned upon mine arm.