The Cloister and the Hearth: A Tale of the Middle Ages

by Charles Reade

  CHAPTER LXIX

  IT would indeed have been strange if with such barren data as theypossessed, those men could have read the handwriting on the river'sbank.

  For there on that spot an event had just occurred, which, take italtogether, was perhaps without a parallel in the history of mankind,and may remain so to the end of time.

  But it shall be told in a very few words, partly by me, partly by anactor in the scene.

  Gerard, then, after writing his brief adieu to Pietro and Andrea, hadstolen down to the river at nightfall.

  He had taken his measures with a dogged resolution not uncommon in thosewho are bent on self-destruction. He filled his pockets with all thesilver and copper he possessed, that he might sink the surer; and, soprovided, hurried to a part of the stream that he had seen was littlefrequented.

  There are some, especially women, who look about to make sure there issomebody at hand.

  But this resolute wretch looked about him to make sure there was nobody.

  And, to his annoyance, he observed a single figure leaning against thecorner of an alley. So he affected to stroll carelessly away; butreturned to the spot.

  Lo! the same figure emerged from a side street and loitered about.

  "Can he be watching me? Can he know what I am here for?" thought Gerard."Impossible."

  He went briskly off, walked along a street or two, made a detour, andcame back.

  The man had vanished. But, lo! on Gerard looking all round, to makesure, there he was a few yards behind, apparently fastening his shoe.

  Gerard saw he was watched, and at this moment observed in the moonlighta steel gauntlet in his sentinel's hand.

  Then he knew it was an assassin.

  Strange to say, it never occurred to him that his was the life aimed at.To be sure he was not aware he had an enemy in the world.

  He turned and walked up to the bravo. "My good friend," said he,eagerly, "sell me thine arm! a single stroke! See, here is all I have:"and he forced his money into the bravo's hands. "Oh, prithee! prithee!do one good deed, and rid me of my hateful life!" and even whilespeaking he undid his doublet, and bared his bosom.

  The man stared in his face.

  "Why do ye hesitate?" shrieked Gerard. "Have ye no bowels? Is it so muchpains to lift your arm and fall it? Is it because I am poor, and can'tgive ye gold? Useless wretch, canst only strike a man behind; not lookone in the face. There, then, do but turn thy head and hold thy tongue!"

  And with a snarl of contempt he ran from him, and flung himself into thewater.

  "Margaret!"

  At the heavy plunge of his body in the stream the bravo seemed torecover from a stupor. He ran to the bank, and with a strange cry theassassin plunged in after the self-destroyer.

  * * * * *

  What followed will be related by the assassin.