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_ One day, it was the last of the year, the anniversary of the death of
my uncle whose goodness and wisdom I pondered on more and more as time
went by, having a little time to spare from larger affairs, I chanced
to be in the shop in the front of the house, which, as John Grimmer
had said, he kept as a trap to "snare the ladybirds," and I continued,
because I knew that he would not wish that anything should be changed.
Here I was pleasing myself by looking over such pieces as we had to
sell which the head craftsman was showing to me, since myself I knew
little of them, except as a matter of account.
Whilst I was thus engaged there entered the shop a very fine lady
accompanied by a still finer lordling arrayed so similarly that, at
first sight, in their hooded ermine cloaks it was difficult to know
which was man and which was woman. When they threw these aside,
however, for the shop was warm after the open air, I knew more than
that, since with a sudden stoppage of the heart I saw before me none
other than the lady Blanche Aleys and her relative, the lord Deleroy.
She, who in the old days of the Hastings burnings had been but a lily
bud, was now an open flower and beautiful exceedingly; indeed in her
own fashion the most beautiful woman that ever I beheld. Tall she was
and stately as a lily bloom, white as a lily also, save for those
wondrous blue eyes over which curled the dark lashes. In shape, too,
she was perfect, full-breasted, yet not too full, small-waisted, and
with delicate limbs, a very Venus, such an one as I had seen in
ancient marble brought in a ship from Italy and given, as I believe,
to the King, who loved such things, to be set up in his palace.
My lord also was yet handsomer than he had been, more set and manly,
though still he affected his coxcomb party-coloured dress with the
turned-up shoes of which the points were fastened by little golden
chains beneath the knee. Still he was a fine man with his roving black
eyes, his loose mouth and little pointed beard from which, as from his
hair, came an odour of scents. Seeing me in my merchant's gown, for I
remained mindful of my uncle's advice as regards attire, he spoke to
me as great men do to shop-keepers.
"Well met, Goldsmith," he said in his round, well-trained voice, "I
would make a new-year gift to the lady here, and I am told that you
have plate-wares of the best; gold cups and jewels of rich and rare
design, stamped all of them with the image of the sun which one would
wish to remember on such a day as this. But hearken, let John Grimmer
himself come to serve me for I would treat with no underlings, or take
me to him where he is."
Now I bowed before him, rubbing my hands, and answered, for so the
humour led me: "Then I fear that I must take my lord farther than my
lord would wish to travel just at present, though who knows?
Perchance, like the rest of us, he may take that journey sooner than
he thinks."
Now at the sound of my voice I saw the lady Blanche stare at me,
trying to catch sight of my face beneath the hood which I wore on this
cold day, while Deleroy started and said briefly:
"Your meaning?"
"It is plain, my lord. John Grimmer is dead and I know not where he
dwells at present since he took that secret with him. But I, who
unworthily carry on his trade, am at your lordship's service."
Then I turned and bade the shopman command Kari to come hither and
bring with him the choicest of our cups and jewels.
He went and I busied myself in setting stools for these noble
customers to rest on before the fire. As I did so by chance my hand
touched that of the lady Blanche, whereat once more she strove to peer
beneath my hood. It was as though the nature in her knew that touch
again, as by some instinct every woman does, if once the toucher's
lips have been near her own, though it be long ago. But I only turned
my head away and drew that hood the closer.
Now Kari came and with him the shopman, bearing the precious wares.
Kari wore a wool-lined robe, very plain, which yet became him so well
that with his fine-cut face and flashing eyes he looked like an
Eastern prince disguised. At him this fine pair stared, for never had
they seen such a man, but taking no note, with many bows he showed the
jewels one by one. Among these was a gem of great value, a large,
heart-shaped ruby that Kari had set in a surround of twisted golden
serpents with heads raised to strike and little eyes of diamonds. Upon
this brooch the lady Blanche fixed her gaze and discarding all others,
began to play with it, till at length the lord Deleroy asked the
price. I consulted with Kari, explaining that myself I did not handle
this branch of my business, then named it carelessly; it was a great
sum.
"God's truth! Blanche," said Deleroy, "this merchant thinks I am made
of gold. You must choose a cheaper ornament for your new year's gift,
or he will have to wait for payment."
"Which mayhap I should be willing to do from one of your quality, my
lord," I interrupted, bowing.
He looked at me and said:
"Can I have a word apart with you, merchant?"
Again I bowed and led him to the eating-room where he gazed about him,
amazed at the richness of the furnishings. He sat him down upon a
carven chair while I stood before him humbly and waited.
"I am told," he said at length, "that John Grimmer did other business
besides that of selling jewels."
"Yes, my lord, some foreign trade."
"And some home trade also. I mean that he lent money."
"At times, my lord, and on good security, if he chanced to have any at
command, and at a certain interest. Perhaps my lord will come to his
point."
"It is short and clear. Those of us who are at Court always want money
where it is needful if we would have advancement and earn the royal
favour of one who does not pay, at least in gold."
"Be pleased to state the amount and the security offered, my lord."
He did so. The sum was high and the security was bad.
"Are there any who would stand surety for my lord?"
"Yes, one of great estate, Sir Robert Aleys, who has wide lands in
Sussex."
"I have heard the name, and if my lord will bid his lawyers put the
matter in writing, I will cause the lands to be valued and give an
answer as quickly as may be."
"For a young man you are careful, merchant."
"Alas! such as I need to be who must guard our small earnings in these
troublous times of war and tumult. Such a sum as you speak of would
take all that John Grimmer and I have laid by after years of toil."
Again he looked at the furnishings of the room and shrugged his
shoulders, then said:
"Good, it shall be done for the need is urgent. To whom is the letter
to be sent?"
"To John Grimmer, at the Boat House, Cheapside."
"But you told me that John Grimmer was dead."
"And so he is, my lord, but his name remains."
Then we returned to the sop and as we went I said,
"If your lordship's lady should set her heart upon the ruby the cost
of it can stand over a while, since I know that it is hard for a
husband to disappoint a wife of what she desires."
"Man, she is my distant cousin, not my wife. I would she were, but how
can two high-placed paupers wed?"
"Perhaps it is for this reason that my lord wishes to borrow money."
Again he shrugged his shoulders, and as we entered the shop I threw
back the hood from off my head upon which I wore a merchant's cap of
velvet. The lady Blanche caught sight of me and started.
"Surely, surely," she began, "you are he who shot the three arrows at
the cave's mouth at Hastings."
"Yes, my lady, and did your hawk escape the dogs upon the London
road?"
"Nay, it was crippled and died, which was the first of many troubles,
for I think my luck rode away with you that day, Master Hubert of
Hastings," she added with a sigh.
"There are other hawks and luck returns," I replied, bowing. "Perhaps
this trinket will bring it back to you, my lady," and taking the
snake-surrounded ruby heart, I proffered it to her with another bow.
"Oh!" she said, her blue eyes shining with pleasure, "oh! it is
beautiful, but whence is the price to come for so costly a thing?"
"I think the matter is one that can wait."
At that moment the lord Deleroy broke in, saying,
"So you are the man who slew the French knight with an ancient sword,
and afterwards shot three other Frenchmen with three shafts, sending
one of them through shield and mail and body, a tale that was spoken
of afterwards, even in London. God's truth! you should be serving the
King in the wars, not yourself behind the counter."
"There are many ways of serving, my lord," I answered, "by pen and
merchandise as well as by steel and shafts. Now with me it is the turn
of the former, though perhaps the ancient sword and the great black
bow wait till their time comes again."
He stared at me and muttered, half to himself:
"A strange merchant and a grim, as those dead Frenchmen may have
thought. I tell you, Sir Trader, that your talk and the eyes of that
tall Moor of yours turn my back cold; it is as though someone walked
over my grave. Come, Blanche, let us begone ere our horses be chilled
as I am. Master Grimmer, or Hastings, you shall hear from me, unless I
can do my business otherwise, and for the trinket send me a note at
your leisure."
Then they went, but as the lady Blanche left the shop she caught her
robe and turned to free it, while she did so flashing at me one of her
sweet looks such as I remembered well.
Kari followed to the door and watched them mount their horses at the
gate, then he searched the ground with his eyes.
"What was it hooked her cloak?" I asked.
"A dream, or the air, Master, for there is nothing else to which it
could have hung. Those who would throw spears behind them must first
turn round."
"What think you of those two, Kari?"
"I think that they will not pay for your jewel, but perhaps this was
but a bait upon the hook."
"And what more, Kari?"
"I think that the lady is very fair and false, and that the great
lord's heart is as black as are his eyes. Also I think that they are
dear to each other and well matched. But it seems that you have met
them both before, Master, so you will know better about them than your
slave."
"Yes, I have met them," I answered sharply, for his words about
Blanche angered me, adding, "I have noted, Kari, that you have never a
good word for any one whom I favour. You are jealous-natured, Kari,
especially of women."
"You ask, I answer," he replied, falling into broken English, as was
his fashion when moved, "and it is true that those who have much love,
are much jealous. That is a fault in my people. Also I love not women.
Now I go make another piece for that which Master give the lady. Only
this time it all snake and no heart."
He went, taking the tray of jewels with him, and I, too, went to the
eating-room to think.
How strange was this meeting. I had never forgotten the lady Blanche,
but in a sense I had lived her memory down and mindful of my uncle's
counsel, had not sought to look upon her again, for which reason I
kept away from Hastings where I thought that I should find her. And
now here she was in London and in my house, brought thither by fate.
Nor was that all, since those blue eyes of hers had re-lighted the
dead fires in my heart and, seated there alone, I knew that I loved
her; indeed had never ceased to love her. She was more to me than all
my wealth, more than anything, and alas! between us there was still a
great gulf fixed.
She was not wed, it was true, but she was a highly placed lady, and I
but a merchant who could not even call myself a squire, or by law wear
garments made of certain stuffs which I handled daily in my trade. How
might that gulf be crossed?
Then as I mused there rose in my mind a memory of certain sayings of
my wise old uncle, and with it an answer to the question. Gold would
bridge the widest streams of human difference. These fine folk for all
their flauntings were poor. They came to me to borrow money wherewith
to gild their coronets and satisfy the importunate creditors at their
door, lest they should be pulled from their high place and forced back
into the number of the common herd as those who could no longer either
give or pay.
And after all, was this difference between them and me so wide? The
grandsire of Sir Robert Aleys, I had been told, gathered his wealth by
trade and usury in the old wars; indeed, it was said that he was one
who dealt in cattle, while Lord Deleroy was reported to be a bastard,
if of the bluest blood, so blue that it ran nigh to the royal purple.
Well, what was mine? On the father's side, Saxon descended from that
of Thanes who went down before the Normans and thereafter became
humble landed folk of the lesser sort. On the mother's, of the race of
the old sea-kings who slew and conquered through all the world they
knew. Was I then so far beneath these others? Nay, but like my father
and my uncle I was one who bought and sold and the hand of the dyer
was stained to the colour of his vat.
Thus stood the business. I, a stubborn man, not ill-favoured, to whom
Fortune had given wealth, was determined to win this woman who, it
seemed to me, looked upon me with no unkind eye since I had saved her
from certain perils. To myself then and there I swore I would win her.
The question was--how could it be done? I might enter the service of
the King and fight his battles and doubtless win myself a knighthood,
or more, which would open the closed gate.
Nay, it would take too long, and something warned me that time
pressed. That strange foreign man, Kari, said that Blanche was
enamoured of this Deleroy, and although I was wrath with him, setting
his words down to jealousy of any on whom I looked with kindness, I
knew well that Kari saw far. If I tarried, this rare white bird would
slip from my hand into another's cage. I must stir at once or let the
matter be. Well, I had wealth, so let wealth be my friend. Time enough
to try war when it failed me.
On the third day of the new year, which at this time of Court revelry
showed that the matter must indeed be pressing, I received those
particulars for which I had asked, together with a list of the lands
and tenements that Sir Robert Aleys was ready to put in pawn on behalf
of his friend and relative, the lord Deleroy. Why should he do this, I
wondered? There could only be one answer: because he and not Deleroy
was to receive the money, or most of it.
Nay, another came into my mind as probable. Because he looked upon
Deleroy as his heir, which, should he marry the lady Blanche, he would
become. If this were so I must act, and quickly, that is, if I would
ever see more of the lady Blanche, as perchance I might do by treading
this gold-paved road, but not otherwise. I studied the list of lands.
As it chanced I knew most of them, for they lay about Pevensey and
Hastings, and saw that they were scarcely worth the moneys which were
asked of me. Well, what of it? This matter was not one of trade and
large as the sum might be, I would risk it for the chance of winning
Blanche.
The end of it was that waiting for no valuings I wrote that on proof
of title clean and unencumbered and completion of all deeds, I would
pay over the gold to whoever might be appointed to receive it.
This letter of mine proved to be but the beginning of a long business
whereof the details may be left untold. On the very next day indeed I
was summoned to the house of Sir Robert Aleys which was near to the
palace and abbey of Westminster. Here I found the gruff old knight
grown greyer and having, as it seemed to me, a hunted air, and with
him the lord Deleroy and two foxy lawyers of whom I did not like the
look. Indeed, for the first, I suspected that I was being tricked and
had it not been for the lady Blanche, would have broken off the loan.
Because of her, however, this I did not do, but having stated my terms
anew, and the rate and dates of interest, sat for a long while saying
as little as possible, while the others unfolded parchments and talked
and talked, telling tales that often contradicted each other, till at
length the lord Deleroy, who seemed ill at ease, grew weary and left
the chamber. At last all was done that could be done at that sitting
and it being past the hour of dinner, I was taken in to eat,
consenting, because I hoped that I should see the lady Blanche.
A butler, or chamber-groom, led me to the dining-hall and sat me with
the lawyers at a table beneath the dais. Presently on this dais
appeared Sir Robert Aleys, his daughter Blanche, the lord Deleroy,
and perhaps eight or ten other fine folk whom I had never seen. She,
looking about her, saw me seated at the lower table, and spoke to her
father and Deleroy, reasoning with the latter, as it would appear.
Indeed, in a sudden hush I caught some of her words. They were, "If
you are not ashamed to take his money, you should not be ashamed to
sit at meat with him."
Deleroy stamped his foot, but the end of it was that I was summoned to
the high table where the lady Blanche made place for me beside her,
while Deleroy sat himself down between two splendid dames at the other
end of the board.
Here, then, I stayed by Blanche who, I noted, wore the ruby heart
encircled by serpents. Indeed, this was the first thing of which she
spoke to me, saying,
"It looks well upon my robe, does it not, and I thank you for it,
Master Hubert, who know surely that it is not my cousin Deleroy's
gift, but yours, since for it you will never see your money."
By way of answer I looked at the sumptuous plate and furnishings, the
profusion of the viands, and the number of the serving-men. Reading my
thought, she replied,
"Aye, but pledged, all of it. I tell you, Master Hubert, that we are
starved hounds, though we live in a kennel with golden bars. And now
they would pawn you that kennel also."
Then, while I wondered what to say, she began to talk of our great
adventure in bygone years, recalling every tiny thing that had
happened and every word that had been spoken between us, some of which
I had forgotten. Of one thing only she said nothing--the kisses with
which we parted. Amongst much else, she spoke of how the ancient sword
had shorn through the armour of the French knight, and I told her that
the sword was named Wave-Flame and that it had come down to me from my
ancestor, Thorgrimmer the Viking, and of what was written on its
blade, to all of which she listened greedily.
"And they thought you not fit to sit at meat with them, you whose race
is so old and who are so great a warrior, as you showed that day. And
it is to you that I owe my life and more than life, to you and not to
them."
So saying she shot a glance at me that pierced me through and through,
as my arrows had pierced the Frenchmen, and what is more beneath the
cover of the board for a moment let her slim hand rest upon my own.
After this for a while we were silent, for indeed I could not speak.
Then we talked on as we could do well enough, since there was no one
on my left where the board ended, and on Blanche's right was a fat old
lord who seemed to be deaf and occupied himself in drinking more than
he should have done. I told her much about myself, also what my mother
had said to me on the day of the Burning, and of how she had
prophesied that I should be a wanderer, words at which Blanche sighed
and answered:
"Yet you seem to be well planted in London and in rich soil, Master
Hubert."
"Aye, Lady, but it is not my native soil and for the rest we go where
Fate leads us."
"Fate! What does that word bring to my mind? I have it; yonder Moor of
yours who makes those jewels. He has the very eyes of Fate and I fear
him."
"That is strange, Lady, and yet not so strange, for about this man
there is something fateful. Ever he swears to me that I shall
accompany him to some dim land where he was born, of which land he is
a prince."
Then I told her all the story of Kari, to which she listened open-eyed
and wondering, saying when I had finished,
"So you saved this poor wanderer also, and doubtless he loves you
well."
"Yes, Lady, almost too well, seeing that at times he is jealous of me,
though God knows I did little for him save pick him from a crowd upon
the quay."
"Ah! I guess it, who saw him watching you the other day. Yet it is
strange, for I thought that only women could be jealous of men, and
men of women. Hush! they are mocking us because we talk so friendly."
I looked up, following her glance, and saw that Deleroy and the two
fine ladies between whom he sat, all of whom appeared to have had
enough of wine, were pointing at us. Indeed, in a silence, such as now
and again happens at feasts, I heard one of them say,
"You had best beware lest that fair white dove of yours does not slip
your hand and begin to coo in another's ear, my Lord Deleroy," and
heard his answer,
"Nay, I have her too fast, and who cares for a pining dove whereof the
feathers adorn another's cap?"
Whilst I was wondering what this dark talk might mean the company
broke up, the lady Blanche gliding away through a door at the back of
the dais, followed, as I noted, by Deleroy who seemed flushed and
angry.
Many times I visited that prodigal house which seemed to me to be the
haunt of folk who, however highly placed and greatly favoured at
Court, were as loose in their lives as they were in their talk.
Indeed, although I was no saint, I liked them not at all, especially
the men with their scented hair, turned-up shoes, and party-coloured
clothes. Nor as I thought, did Sir Robert Aleys like them, who,
whatever his faults, was a bluff knight of the older sort, who had
fought with credit in the French wars. Yet I noted that he seemed to
be helpless in their hands, or rather in those of Deleroy, the King's
favourite, who was the chief of all the gang. It was as though that
gay and handsome young man had some hold over the old soldier, yes,
and over his daughter also, though what this might be I could not
guess.
Now I will move on with the tale. In due course the parchments were
signed and delivered, and the money in good gold was paid over on my
behalf, after which the great household at Westminster became more
prodigal than before. But when the time came for the discharge of the
interest due not a groat was forthcoming. Then afterwards there was
talk of my taking over certain of the pledged lands in lieu of this
interest. Sir Robert suggested this and I assented, because Blanche
had told me that it would help her father. Only when the matter was
set on foot by my lawyers was it found that these lands were not his
to transfer, inasmuch as they had been already mortgaged to their
value.
Then there was a fierce quarrel between Sir Robert Aleys and the lord
Deleroy, at which I was present. Sir Robert with many oaths accused
his cousin of having forged his name when he was absent in France,
while Deleroy declared that what he did was done with due authority.
Almost they drew swords on each other, till at length Deleroy took
Aleys aside and with a fierce grin whispered something into his ear
which caused the old knight to sink down on a stool and call out,
"Get you gone, you false rogue! Get out of this house, aye, and out of
England. If I meet you again, by God's Blood I swear that King's
favourite or no King's favourite, I'll throat you like a hog!"
To which Deleroy mocked in answer:
"Good! I'll go, my gentle cousin, which it suits me well to do who
have certain business of the King's awaiting me in France. Aye, I'll
go and leave you to settle with this worthy trader who may hold that
you have duped him. Do it as you will, except in one fashion, of which
you know. Now a word with my cousin Blanche and another at the Palace
and I ride for Dover. Farewell, Cousin Aleys. Farewell, worthy
merchant for whose loss I should grieve, did I not know that soon you
will recoup yourself out of gentle pockets. Mourn not over me over
much, either of you, since doubtless ere so very long I shall return."
Now my blood flamed up and I answered:
"I pray you do not hurry, my lord, lest you should find me waiting for
you with a shield and a sword in place of a warrant and a pen."
He heard and called out, "Fore God, this chapman thinks himself a
knight!"
Then with a mocking laugh he went. _
Read next: BOOK I: CHAPTER VI - MARRIAGE--AND AFTER
Read previous: BOOK I: CHAPTER IV - KARI
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