Guy Fawkes; or, The Gunpowder Treason: An Historical Romance
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CHAPTER VI.
THE DISINTERMENT.
Having seen every attention shown to Viviana by the hostess,--who, assoon as she discovered that she had the daughter of Sir WilliamRadcliffe of Ordsall, under her roof, bestirred herself in right earnestfor her accommodation,--Humphrey Chetham, notwithstanding the latenessof the hour,--it was past midnight,--expressed his determination to walkto his residence at Crumpsall, to put an end to any apprehension whichmight be entertained by the household at his prolonged absence.
With this view, he set forth; and Guy Fawkes, who seemed to bemeditating some project which he was unwilling to disclose to theothers, quitted the hostel with him, bidding the chamberlain sit up forhim, as he should speedily return. They had not gone far when heinquired the nearest way to the Collegiate Church, and was answered thatthey were then proceeding towards it, and in a few moments should arriveat its walls. He next asked the young merchant whether he could informhim which part of the churchyard was allotted to criminals. HumphreyChetham, somewhat surprised by the question, replied, "At thenorth-west, near the charnel," adding, "I shall pass within a shortdistance of the spot, and will point it out to you."
Entering Fennel Street, at the end of which stood an ancient cross, theysoon came in sight of the church. The moon was shining brightly, andsilvered the massive square tower of the fane, the battlements,pinnacles, buttresses, and noble eastern window, with its gorgeoustracery. While Guy Fawkes paused for a moment to contemplate thisreverend and beautiful structure, two venerable personages, having longsnowy beards, and wrapped in flowing mantles edged with sable fur,passed the end of the street. One of them carried a lantern, though itwas wholly needless, as it was bright as day; and as they glidedstealthily along, there was something so mysterious in their manner,that it greatly excited the curiosity of Guy Fawkes, who inquired fromhis companion if he knew who they were.
"The foremost is the warden of Manchester, the famous Doctor Dee,"replied Humphrey Chetham, "divine, mathematician, astrologer,--and ifreport speaks truly, conjuror."
"Is that Doctor Dee?" cried Guy Fawkes, in astonishment.
"It is," replied the young merchant: "and the other in the Polish cap isthe no-less celebrated Edward Kelley, the doctor's assistant, or, as heis ordinarily termed, his seer."
"They have entered the churchyard," remarked Guy Fawkes. "I will followthem."
"I would not advise you to do so," rejoined the other. "Strange talesare told of them. You may witness that it is not safe to look upon."
The caution, however, was unheeded. Guy Fawkes had already disappeared,and the young merchant, shrugging his shoulders, proceeded on his waytowards Hunt's Bank.
On gaining the churchyard, Guy Fawkes perceived the warden and hiscompanion creeping stealthily beneath the shadow of a wall in thedirection of a low fabric, which appeared to be a bone-house, orcharnel, situated at the north-western extremity of the church. Beforethis building grew a black and stunted yew-tree. Arrived at it, theypaused, and looked round to see whether they were observed. They didnot, however, notice Guy Fawkes, who had concealed himself behind abuttress. Kelley then unlocked the door of the charnel, and brought outa pickaxe and mattock. Having divested himself of his cloak, heproceeded to shovel out the mould from a new-made grave at a littledistance from the building. Doctor Dee stood by, and held the lanternfor his assistant.
Determined to watch their proceedings, Guy Fawkes crept towards theyew-tree, behind which he ensconced himself. Kelley, meanwhile,continued to ply his spade with a vigour that seemed almostincomprehensible in one so far stricken in years, and of such infirmappearance. At length he paused, and kneeling within the shallow grave,endeavoured to drag something from it. Doctor Dee knelt to assist him.After some exertion, they drew forth the corpse of a female, which hadbeen interred without coffin, and apparently in the habiliments wornduring life. A horrible suspicion crossed Guy Fawkes. Resolving tosatisfy his doubts at once, he rushed forward, and beheld in the ghastlylineaments of the dead the features of the unfortunate prophetess,Elizabeth Orton.