Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 264: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IVAN THE “Thanks, my lord; I'll be your humblest slave if you will but trust me.’’ “But what guarantee can I have of your faithfulness? You will be watched, as I told you.” “Then if I do but prove false, let your emissaries slay me on the spot.” “That, at all events, is a bold proposition.” *‘ And one I am willing to agree to.” ** Then so be it, I will trust you, and——” ‘Tf I don’t prove faithful, my blood is not on your head,” “ Just so; but what do you-propose to do first 7?” ‘Learn all I can first of your son Harry’s place of retreat ; unearth the conspirators, in the next place; and afterwards do your bidding in all and everything,” ‘‘Then I will release you. But mark me, and remember this, you are in my power now, and your life is in my own hands ; if you do but play me false, look to the consequences.” So saying, my lord released the Forger from his uneasy seat. ‘‘Now,” said he, “follow my servant ; ‘he will provide you with proper attire ; dress yourself elegantly, and, if I mistake not, you can well ape the gentleman, if you are not one,” The Forger followed a footman, and soon returned so entirely changed by dress, and the manners he assumed, that my lord seemed for the moment puzzled and surprised, ‘“‘ He is just the fellow I need,” he mused, ‘Come, follow me,’ he then said aloud. Throwing a cloak over his shoulders, my lord ordered his carriage, and descended to the entrance-hall. The vehicle was not long in being made ready. The Forger jumped in, followed by Earl Percy. They drove off at good speed towards the palace, and the coachman having received his orders, soon pulled up at a private gate that led from the park to the palace. My lord and the Forger alighted, and were ushered by servants through long gardens into a waiting-room. They were not there long when a footman, superb in powder and plush, informed the earl that the king was at that moment holding a council in the Red Room, and wished them to fol- low him. “The Red Room,” said the Forger, in surprise, for a moment forgetting himself. “Aye, the Red Room. What of that?” said my lord, in a side whisper. ‘ What makes you turn so pale?” “Nothing, my lord,” he replied, with an assumed calmness of manner, The earl looked at him for a moment, and then said, ‘‘ Remember, I shall introduce you as a spy to the king, You are not supposed to have been a Forger at any time, but Mr, Gilbert, a loyal gentleman in reduced circumstances ; re- member, Mr, Gilbert.” “T will not forget,” said the Forger, and followed the earl upstairs, 260 CHAPTER CXXVIL THE SECRET COUNCIL—THE SPY’S ADVICE, As Earl Percy ascended the grand staircase, followed closely by the newly-transformed Forger, he watched the latter's countenance. Through first one passage and then another they went their way, being shown by a footman, but as they approached the Red Room the Forger halted, and leaned against the wall. ° “‘ What ails you?” the nobleman asked, ‘‘ Nothing,” the man replied, But his face belied him. It had turned as pale as ashes. The nearer he approached the door the more nervous he became, until at last cold perspiration oozed from his brow. They were waiting just outside the Red Room, when the door opened, and the earl entered. He bade the Forger, or Mr. Gilbert, as he was now called, wait until he was wanted, and in a moment confronted the king in full council, ‘* Percy, be seated,” said the king, in a calm tone. The old nobleman did so, TERRIBLE, The council had been sitting for an hour or more, but the earl had not been long there when the members of it rose from their seats, and left the room by an entrance that the earl had not perceived before. It was a secret, panel-shaped means of egress, which opened and shut noiselessly. When they had gone the king, attended by a single lord in waiting, beckoned the earl to approach and take a seat beside him, He then bade the lord in waiting to stand aloof near the door. The apartment being large, the distance of this lord in waiting at the door was so far that it was impossible for him to hear ought that passed. The earl, for reasons we have already seen, was not in the habit of attending Court. : In truth there had been a marked coldness between them for a long time. This invitation, therefore, to take a seat close beside the king, somewhat surprised the old nobleman. He gazed fixedly at the monarch’s face, and instead of a frown he was met with smiles. ‘‘ Does this mean hypocrisy or truth ?” thought the earl. He did, however, as he was bidden, but with a fast beating ulse. ac: Earl Percy, ’tis long since I have sent for you—I need not now name the cause. Suffice it to say that some villain has been at work, who has caused this coldness between us.” The earl blushed and bowed. ‘*‘ T have had a council here, as you see.” “ Surely my letter did not cause it ?” “Tt did in part. Have you heard of the conspiracy against me 2” ‘“‘T have heard some little; but what I have heard I did not in part believe.” ‘Then you must know, my lord, that this same conspiracy is wider spread than you imagine.” ‘¢ Indeed !” ‘‘ Yes, more so than I could ever have believed.” “‘ Have the council decided upon measures to suppress it ?” “ Not as yet.” ‘‘ Why not, sire?” “7 did not ask them,” «Wherefore ?”” “Because my son-in-law, the Prinee of Orange, is at the head of it.”’ ‘* But should that prevent the council ?” ‘No, but I have no faith in my advisers. The majority of the noblemen you saw here but now are in favour of it,” ‘** Impossible !” “ But true, Percy ; and I dared not open my mind to them, for if they knew what measures I had adopted for its suppres- sion, they would immediately counteract all my endeavours by informing the leaders of all I intended to do.”’ For a few moments the king was silent, but at length said, ‘‘ This conspiracy will miscarry this time, but I am afraid it will succeed at some future time. It is for your advice I sent for you, earl; your note convinced me that you were loyal.” “T always have been so, sire.” “T believe it ; and, had I not listened to the many lying tales told of you, I should have benefited by your council long ere this,” “Then what do you wish me to do, sire ?”’ “ T want to know more of this sad affair. I suppose you have heard of Roger the goldsmith’s apprehension ?” | ‘‘T have ; but what can he have to do with it, such a simple, honest artizan as he is?” ‘He has made designs and devices for the chief con- spirators.” “True ; and he has ‘disclosed their names, of course ?” ‘He has not.” ‘* He surely must know them ?” ** He says he does not,” Tis strange.” Gomichoo <S7icom ‘\