Читать книгу The Siege of Malta (St. Angelo) - S. Fowler Wright - Страница 16

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Angelica did not go to the battery again, which she was reluctant to do. She sent message to Francisco that she could be found at the noon hour at the inn where they met before.

She found him there when she arrived, which she might not have done had she been to her own time, which she had been careful to miss, for she had some pride of her own, though it might not be equal to his, and now that she had found that there was no present danger for him, she had space for thoughts of another kind.

They had come at an hour when there would be few but themselves in the common room, and as he had found a seat in a corner apart, she thought that they would talk there rather than ask for a private place, as though they had secret matters with which to deal.

Before she spoke of the matters of which he had come to hear, she mentioned one which she meant him to know, and which might be overthought if it were left.

“Francis, I should tell you first that Captain Antonio knows what I am.”

He frowned at that, as he replied: “Then how many are there who guess now? How did he learn? Is it not what I have always said, that you should not have come?”

“You have said enough.... We agree there.... Yet that I am here may have been useful to you. At least, it has done you no ill.... I was caught by a careless word, such as I should not have said. Did he tell you aught?”

“No. I have not guessed that he knew.”

“Then he keeps faith, as I think. I need not trouble for that.”

“I would that you could go back, being no more shamed than you now are.”

It was a subject which better suited his restless pride than that of which he had come to hear, but it could not be expected that she would look on it in the same way.

“If you call me shamed, it is what no other would do, and it is a word that you should be last to use to one who is so near of your blood, even if you have no care beyond that.”

He had the grace to take the rebuke, and to go as near to deny his words as he would be likely to do.

“You took what I said in a wrong way. You have no shame in yourself, as you could not have; and there should be none to say it aloud while I have a sword which is at your call, as I think you know.... You may consider that, if I regarded you no more than as one who chanced to be of a kindred blood, I should not fret that your honour walks on so keen an edge, as you must allow that it does now.”

“Well,” she said, more mollified by the manner of his reply than she was entirely willing to show, “had I need, I would ask your sword in a quick way, both for a sharp point, and as one that would be bare at the first word, as you need not say. But, till I ask, you may be sure that the need is none.”

“It is so I will practise to think. But I suppose that you had other matter in mind when you asked me here.”

“I have news, which you may call good, Sir Oliver, as I think, having proved our friend, though he will make little of that. The Council met last night, and debated what you had done, or what else they may have supposed from where Venetia was found——”

“What do you mean when you say that?”

“What I said. It is plain enough. Is it not a matter which all men will judge in the same way?”

“They should consider the urgence with which she fled.”

“So they may. Shall we leave that, and come to what they resolved, which it is of more moment to know?”

“I would only say that her honour should not be mired, while she is charged that she was too constant in its defence.”

“There is no need to tell me. It will all be said at the right time, for Del Monte will undertake her retort.”

“When is the trial to be?”

“In three days, if we are quiet from further attack. But I would tell you first of yourself.”

“And I am more anxious for her.”

“You will learn all, if you let me speak. As to yourself, the Council agreed after debate that you shall be left clear, if you are silent enough. I suppose that is in reward for the good service you did. Also, the Grand Master proved your friend at the last.

“But it is to be plain, and I am the one that must tell you this, as speaking in Sir Oliver’s place, that there is no more than suspense. There is not pardon at all. And the Council will not endure that their forbearance be talked, or that you make boast, as though they threatened that which they dare not do. And if they are stirred to move, it will be in a merciless way, for they consider that what you did cannot be condoned in a time of war; and if you give them such cause, those who had been your friends will not attempt, or will be feeble to aid you more.”

“Well, it is what you are charged to say. And there must be those I should thank, as I do you.... I will be still from no fear. But it is not my way to go boasting abroad.... I am content that I did as I have supposed that a knight should.... The Grand Master may see that it was his feud with La Cerda by which she fell.”

“So you may think, if you only say it to me; but it may be your death if it enter another ear. Can I avoid dread when you talk in so bold a way?”

“I will be still as a grave. But will you tell me of her?”

“Sir Oliver thinks that the charge against her is not so black in itself but that she should come clear, and that Del Monte is appointed to be her friend may be proof that she is not too hotly pursued. But Sir Oliver was urgent that I should warn you of this, for her own good. Her credit may be straightly arraigned, and when she answers of whom she is, and by what road she arrived, it may break her if she be caught in a wrong word.”

“Why should he be doubtful of that? She is not one whose record requires a lie.”

“Well, he is. It is a warning well meant, whether it be needed or no. And if you fail to tell it to her, and she stumble when she is asked, you will be the cause of her grief.”

“Can I see her again? I was told, that there would be much trouble in that, so that even gold might not avail.”

“I suppose I could secure that, if I give a good cause. You cannot advise her unless you do.”

“I would thank you therefor.”

“So you shall.... But you would do well for her if you learn what you can first.... Captain Antonio knew her before.”

“So he will have it to be, but I conclude that he makes a wrong guess. He is Genoese, and it is a town where she never was. He is not her friend.”

“But he is yours.... If he have the wrong tale, you should not avoid: you should face it, and break it down.”

Francisco could not deny that this counsel was good. He said: “If you will contrive that I see her again, I will give her warning of this, of which Del Monte should know. I suppose that she will answer truly when she is charged, and that she will have little to fear, for he will not have her abused.”

“If you will meet me here at to-morrow noon, I will bring you an order to see her then, which I am assured that Sir Oliver will not deny.”