Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-28
CHAPTER v.
Captivity
That comes with honor Is true liberty.

That comes with honor is true liberty.
-Massinger.
1t had grown dark by this time, and some
of the chancellor's men carried fambeaux,
which they had kindled in the kitchens of
the house. Others. and these my lords af-
frighted serving men, went to and fro with
lanterns, as though seeking witnesses Of
their blamelessness. What glare of light
struck upward in the courtyard showed the
steel casquetels of the guard, the blades
of their pixies, the shining points of their
habiliments. and with these the faces of
men hard set upon a purpose which would
not brook delay. The street without was
full of those who had been called together
by the clamor and the bruited noises. APP
prentices ran from the houses of the mer-
chants, maids opened lattices TO peer out
upon that tumultuouS scene; idiers, foot
pads, the priests of the neighbOring church.
es, brawlers from the taverns came crowd
ing about my lords gate to tell each other
that the Northman was taken and tomor-
row would be crowned in the dungeons of
the tower. Not yet were they so schooled
in the spectacles of captivity that they
might pass by the Sheriff's burden as
though 1t were common sight. The out
laws story had gone abroad through the
city as some pretty tale of romance and
chivalry, which children might dwell upon
and women applaud; but the chancellor had
capped 1t with a heavy hand. Let the
King OF Calverton free himself and We will
believe" men said.
Now the chancellor's men pressed close
about Roy, fearing that he would vet
strike a good blow for liberty; but In this
they were over ready with their alarms
and as soon as he knew their purpose. he
changed merry word with them, and de-
clared that, for any may" of his they
might carry him wheresoever they willed
palace or prison. wear no long faces for
me, sirs,' was his exhortation; whichever
10 frI,| n
the month be run. In the queens name YOU
come-aye, that is a name 1 know right
well! Lead on, friends, that I may learn
what kindness her majesty would put upon
mer'
He turned his horse to ride out with them
as ne had entered. and bending in his sad
die to my Lady Barbara, who sat very
white and wan IN the loom of the torches
light, he bade her farewell as one who
feared not to go because he knew in how
short time he would return again.
Fear nothing, sweet wife, he said In
that moment of her grief; there is no
prison In England that shall cage Roy CT
Calverton when he hath the mind to go
forth again. Yet If this matter SHOULD
come to the queens ears 1 doubt not that
1t might serve me. Act as your love Of
me shall dictate. There will be strange
tidings in London ere many days nave
PASSED, but the strangest, surely, shall be
those which make mention Of this night.
God guard thee, dear heart, and give thee
He dotted his cap and kissed her upon
both cheeks; and she, clinging to him a
little while with great tenderness, prom
Used that she would see the queen that
very night.
"Or if I FAIL" she said. then will I
come to thee. dear Roy. Oh, God be my
witness. will come to theer'
He did not answer her, fearing to pro-
woke her tears. and, going out with the
men. he rode contented in their midst to-
ward the river and the barge which there
awaited him. And as he went my lady
watched him from the gate, and neither
the abbot's craven consolation nor any
hope which he had spoken could lift that
heavy weight Of sadness. For it was In
her mind that this was the eternal fare
well. and that never again would Roy Of
Calverton claim love Of her or service.
Now. the Abbot Parkenham had taken
leave Of his guest with unseemly pleas
ure: now would he endeavor now that
he was gone to cloak his satisfactionf
Eloquent. from the fFst Up weary protes-
tation Of faith and loyalty. he went on
to declare himself true son of holy
church. for he feared the chancellor great
ly. and when his word was Knocked by
the ribald troopers he ran from room to
room distractedly, here cloaking the wit