The Armourer's Apprentice — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

: ¥ = ae: - & oO mfuct my presence on you. These rey- nd fathers will conduct you to a place \ _ stored to your parents. Farewell, lady; I _ ask but this, that you will think as little iloimeasyoucan. Remember, I wronged cA peomant of love, and for that forgive me.” _ Alice made no answer, but, sheathing her _ dagger, she turned away, and the two priests _ conducted her down a stone corridor until _ they reached aniron door. This was opened, _ and instantly Alice was thrust rudely into - astone dungeon, and the door slammed and _oolted. Instinctively the girl placed her hand by het side seeking for her dagger, but it was gone. it had been taken by one of “Art thou prepared, maiden, for the _ ordeal ?’ demanded a stern voice. = eine e turned, and beheld two swarthy men _ dressed in the Eastern garb, who were busily zaged heating some irons im a brasier. s ou* . , _ “We mean only to put out these pretty - eyes of yours—that is, unless you will let _ them see with a better judgment. To be plain, madam, you must consent, and that _ willingly, to wed the Lord de Courcy, or _ never look upon a man’s face more.” __ “Wretches, you dare not do it !” cried the ‘Maiden, retreatingias far as she could from Aq gaia “Do you refuse to obey us? I tell you jat our orders are strict and shall be ~~ ad’ » a" , ’ a. % =“ So —_ j ie “Yamin your power, Do with me what ~ youwill, I will never consent to wed so _ Mean a man as the Lord de Courcy.” _ “Then your fate is sealed,” cmed. the ruflian, as he drew one of the irons out of . tt 3 fire. “ No power can save you.” “Yes; the power of Heaven will save me, and tothat I appeal,” cried Alice, falling on a) “The ap is answered, daughter,” re- plied a deep voice. “Stand back, cruel ‘wretches! or fear the ban of excommunica- ~ tion of Holy Mother Church.” The men drew back in horror, for before hg f- “ CHAPTER V SHOWS HOW THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER _ BAULKED SIR BIDULPH’S PLANS, BUT _ WAS UNABLE TO RESCUE ALICE FROM | THE CLUTCHES OF HER CAPTORS. “71 AT is the meaning of this?” de- -_ YY wmanded the bishop, sternly. “Go Runyer, and send hither the Lord « Vx Pe 4.0 ; —_ : - a Ls ? a -~ ’ ‘ > >i oe hence. - WHAT BECAME OF ALICE. Abbott, and also the nobles who brought _ ty safety, and to-morrow you shall be re- is this damsel.” Bowing low the two men at once with- drew, and, leaying the bishop to pacity the maiden, at once hurried te Sir Bidulph and the Abbot, to whom they communi- -eated this unlooked-for interruption of their plans. “How is this, my Lord Abbot?” cried Sir Bidulph to his yourger brother; “thou knowest all our pians, and yet thou hast cared to let them be thus overthrown: Discovery now is ruin. By this marriage the fortunes of the De Courcys will be re- instated. If the Lord Bishop should try to detain us by the power of the Church, ruin > —nay, death and dishonour—awaits us.” “Would that I never meddled in ths matter,” muttered the abbot. “Hast thou no plan, Bidulph de Boischene. Thy cun- ning brain was never yet in fault when yillainy was in the case. “T have it!” eried Sir Bidulph. “Thou must introduce me as Earl of Beaucierk, and declare that Alice is my daughter, whom I was anxious to wed to the Lord de Courcy ; but she had formed a base iove for a low-born churl, some armourer’s appren- | tice, and hence the reason why I should try to terrify her into compliance.” “A pretty scheme, but much, I fear one © that will bring us trouble.” eo. “Ttis our last chance—fear not, I will hold you innocent whatever may come of the matter. See that you act your part well and I will do the same.” | The abbot had no power to refuse, and at _once led the way to the chamber where the Bishop of Rochester was seated with Alice, who had poured aii her trouble into the good man’s fatherly bosom. - “How now, my Lord Abbot!” cried the bishop, sternly. ‘“ What means this threat- ened cruelty towards this maiden?” “By right of a parent’s command,” re- plied Bidulph, boldly. “I, her father, did order that this rebellious girl should be © eompelled to wed her kinsman, Algernon Lord de Courcy, before he sails for the Holy Land.” “You her father? But this maiden sayeth that she is of humble birth.” “T know it, most reverend and noble prelate, and ‘tis in some measure true that she may so believe herself to be. Hearken, my Lord Bishop, and I will tell you my story. Some years ago I joined a consplir- acy against the late king, Henry Ii. I need fot tell you the result: we were beaten and had to fly. The princes and the queen who had joined with us were - pardoned, and I and some others were ban- ished, and our estates forfeited to the Crown.” (e(0) JOO 0) aa”