XII
A USE FOR A PRISONER
"Sir," said Brilliana, "if you give me your parole you shall have thefreedom of Harby."
Evander made her a ceremonious bow.
"Lady, you seem to me to be the only true gentleman on your side ofthis quarrel, so I will give you my word and my sword."
Holding his sword by the blade, he extended it across the table toBrilliana, whose hand caught its hilt with the firm grasp of one towhom the manage of arms was not unfamiliar. As she stepped back withher trophy Evander pushed the table aside to afford him passage fromhis alcove, and, saluting the lady, took his former place between hiswarders. Brilliana returned his salutation with a murmured "It iswell." Rufus, disengaging himself from the knot of discomfitedCavaliers, moved towards her and addressed her with faintlyrestrained impatience.
"In Heaven's name," he begged, "set this Cantwell on one side if youtender him so precious. I have private news for you."
Brilliana's face wore something of a frown for her presuming friend."Indeed!" she answered, coldly. Then turning towards Halfman shetendered to him Evander's sword, which he hastened to take from her,kneeling as he did so.
"Captain Cloud is in your care," she said. "Pray you, withdraw yourprisoner a little."
Halfman rose, bearing Evander's sword, and went to Evander.
"Will you come this way?" he bade his captive, courteously enough. IfBrilliana chose to trust a Roundhead's word, her will was Halfman'slaw. Evander again saluted Brilliana and followed Halfman to thefarther part of the hall. Here in a window-seat, out of ear-shot ofthe other's speech, he seated himself to commune with his melancholyreflections, while Halfman, after stationing Thoroughgood at a littledistance as a nominal guard upon the prisoner, dismissed Garlinge andClupp from the room and rejoined the Cavaliers. Brilliana, who hadstill been standing with Sir Rufus, now addressed the others.
"Gentlemen," she said, "you must need sustenance after this morning'swork. You will find such poor cheer as Harby can offer in thebanqueting-hall. Captain Halfman, will you play the host for me?"
The Cavaliers, who were, indeed, sharp-set and ever-readytrenchermen, welcomed the proposal each after his own fashion.
"Indeed," averred the Lord Fawley, "I would say good-day to a pasty.""Ay," assented Radlett, "well met, beef or mutton." Ingroweuphemized, "I shall be well content with bread and cheese anddreams," as he glanced admiration at Brilliana. Bardon grunted, "Iwould sell all my dreams for a slice of cold boar's head."
Halfman addressed them in the character of Father Capulet. "We have atrifling foolish banquet towards." He turned towards the doors of thebanqueting-room with the famished gentlemen at his heels; then,noticing that Sir Rufus remained with Brilliana, he stopped andquestioned him. "You, sir, will you not eat?"
Rufus answered him with an impatience that was almost anger. "No,no," he said; "I have no hunger. Stay your stomachs swiftly,friends."
He turned again to Brilliana, and stood opposite to her in silencetill Halfman and the Cavaliers had quitted the hall. Then Brillianaspoke.
"Well, good news or bad?"
"Bad," Rufus answered. "Your cousin Randolph is a captive."
Brilliana gave a little cry of regret.
"Bad news, indeed! How did it chance?"
"In the battle," Rufus answered. "The King's standard-bearer wasslain and the King's flag fell into the rebel hands."
Brilliana clasped her hands with a sigh, and would have spoken, butRufus stayed her, hurrying on with his tale.
"That could not be endured, dear lady. So in the dusk Randolph and Iput orange scarfs about us that we might be taken for rogues ofEssex's regiment, and so, unchallenged, slipped into the enemy'scamp. Dear fortune led me to the tent of Lord Essex, and there Ifound his secretary sitting and gaping at the precious emblem. Isnatched it from his fingers and made good my escape, gaining greatpraise from his Majesty when I laid the sacred silk at his feet."
Brilliana's eyes swam with adoration. "Oh, my gallant friend!" shecried, and held out her hands to him. He caught them both and kissedthem, whereat she instantly withdrew them and moved a little away. Hefollowed her, speaking low, passionately.
"Your words mean more than the King's words to me. You know that."
Brilliana did not look vastly displeased at this wild speech, but sheforced a tiny frown and set her finger to her lips.
"Hush!" she said. "What of Randolph?"
"Less fortunate than I," Rufus resumed, in calmer tones, "he ran intothe arms of a burly Parliament man, that Cambridge Crophead Mr.Cromwell, who made him prisoner."
"Truly," said Brilliana, thoughtfully, "it is hard luck for him justafter his first battle. But 'twill be soon mended. They will exchangehim."
Even as she spoke she seemed surprised at the gloomy look thatreigned on Rufus's face. His tone was as gloomy as his face as hesaid, "He was wearing the orange scarf of Essex."
"What then?" Brilliana questioned, still surprised; then, asknowledge flashed upon her, she cried, quickly, "Ah, they will saythat he was a spy."
"Ay," Rufus answered, hotly, "the King's spy, God's spy upon enemiesof God and King, but still a spy in their eyes."
"But what is to be done?" Brilliana gasped.
"I would that I knew," Rufus answered. "His Majesty has intercededfor him and has gained him some days of grace. It is certain that myLord Essex, if he had his own way, would yield him. But he has nothis own way, for this stubborn Cromwell fellow clings to hisprisoner."
"Why is he so stubborn?" Brilliana asked. Rufus smiled sourly.
"Partly because, like all new-made soldiers, he is punctilious of therules of war. Partly because he hopes to turn his capture to someaccount. Poor Randolph had upon him a letter in cipher from the Kingto a certain lord. Randolph may buy his life with the key to thecipher."
"He will never do that," Brilliana said, in proud confidence of thecourage of her house. She was silent for a moment; then she gave alittle cry of joy. "I think I can save him," she exclaimed. Rufusstared at her as if she had lost her wits.
"Why, what can you do?" he asked, astonished. Brilliana answered witha glance of profound wisdom. "I think I know a way," and she noddedher head sagely. Then she turned and moved a little space across thehall in the direction of that window-seat where Evander satensconced. When she had advanced two or three paces she called tohim:
"Captain Cloud, pray favor me with your company for a few moments ofspeech."
Evander's consciousness swam to the surface of a pool of gloomythought at her summons. He rose on the instant and came down the halltowards her.
"I am at your service, lady," he said. Brilliana watched him closelyas she questioned.
"You say you are a friend of Mr. Cromwell?"
Evander seemed surprised at the interrogation, but he answered,simply, "I am so favored."
"Does he cherish you in affection?" Brilliana pursued, still watchinghim closely.
"He loved my father," said Evander. "If I dared to think it I shouldsay he loved me, too. Truly, he has shown me much regard."
Brilliana struck her palms sharply together with the air of one whohas solved a difficult problem.
"Your Mr. Cromwell has taken prisoner a cousin of mine whom hethreatens to kill as a spy. We will exchange you against Mr.Cromwell's prisoner."
Evander looked steadily back at her with a hint of mild amusement atthe corners of his mouth.
"Colonel Cromwell will never exchange a spy," he responded,decisively.
Rufus, who was listening to the conference, nodded his head in gloomyassent. "That is like enough," he agreed. Brilliana stamped a footand her eyes snapped vexation.
"We shall see," she said, sharply. She turned away from the two menand moved to a small table against the wall that carried writingmaterials. Seating herself thereat, she took up a goose-quill andbegan to write rapidly on a large sheet of paper. When she hadfinished she looked round, and beckoned Rufus to her side that hemight hear what she had written. She r
ead it aloud, with her eyesfixed on Evander's impassive face.
"To Colonel Cromwell, serving with my Lord Essex in the Parliamentary army lately at Edgehill. My cousin, Sir Randolph Harby, is a prisoner in your hands. Your friend, Mr. Evander Cloud, is a prisoner in mine. I will exchange my prisoner for your prisoner; but the life of Mr. Evander Cloud is answerable for the life of Randolph Harby. Such is the sure promise and steadfast vow of his cousin and the King's true subject, Brilliana Harby."
As she read, the dour face of Rufus brightened, and he rubbed hishands in satisfaction at the close.
"By the Lord, an honest thought," he chuckled. "Swing Randolph, swingrat-face."
Evander smiled disdainfully.
"I am no spy," he asserted, firmly, "and by the laws of war you haveno right to my life."
Brilliana turned on him tauntingly.
"You were taken a rebel in arms and your life is at my mercy."
"Then," said Evander, calmly, "add to your letter my wish thatColonel Cromwell take no thought of me."
Brilliana stamped impatiently.
"I am not your secretary," she said, sharply.
"It does not matter," Evander answered, smoothly. "Colonel Cromwellwill follow the laws of war."
"I am sorry for you if he do," Brilliana declared. "We shall test thestrength of Colonel Cromwell's love." She called, loudly, "JohnThoroughgood."
Thoroughgood advanced to her from where he stood removed.
"Ride with a white flag," Brilliana went on; "ride hard to my LordEssex's army, wherever it may be. Where is my Lord Essex, Rufus?"
"They have retired, I think, upon Warwick," Rufus said, doubtfully.
"Well," Brilliana continued, "to the rebel army, wherever you canfind it. Deliver this letter into the hands of Colonel Cromwell.Bring back his answer swiftly. Ride as if you were riding for yourlife."
Thoroughgood saluted, took the letter, and turned to go. Brillianastopped him.
"First quarter Captain Cloud in the west room, and see him welltended."
Evander bowed.
"I thank you," he said, and followed Thoroughgood out of the room.Brilliana turned to Rufus.
"I trust you will all feast here to-night."
Rufus shook his head sadly.
"Tears in my eyes and heart, but not possible. We join the Kingto-night for Banbury." He came close to her and spoke low. "BrightBrilliana, will you not give me your golden promise ere I go?"
"You must not ask that yet," Brilliana pleaded. "I must know my ownmind."
Sir Rufus banged his hands together.
"By God, I know mine, and my mind is to win you if I have to kill aregiment of rivals."
Brilliana pretended to shudder at his ferocity.
"Lord! you are a very violent lover."
Rufus did not deny her.
"I am a very earnest lover, a very desperate lover."
Brilliana made a gesture of protest.
"Fie, this is no love-talk time, when the King is fighting. Ride,gallant Rufus, come back with loyal laurels and the flags of cantingrebels, and see how I shall welcome you."
Rufus caught her hands.
"Must I be content with this?" he asked, hotly.
"You must be content with this," Brilliana replied, coolly. "Herecome your brothers-in-arms."
The doors of the banqueting-hall opened, and Fawley, Radlett, Bardon,Ingrow, and Halfman came in, all brighter for wine and food.
"'Tis boot and saddle, Rufus," Fawley cried.
"I am yours," Rufus answered. He bowed over Brilliana's fingers."Farewell, lady."
One and all they turned and left her, and as they tramped into theair the chorus of the Cavalier song came back to her happy ears.
"And we will sing, boys, God bless the King, boys, Cast up your hats, and cry Vive le Roy."
The Lady of Loyalty House: A Novel Page 13