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Convinced from the voice that he had a being of this world to deal with, the esquire seized her vestment, and resolved to detain her till he had ascertained who she was and what was the cause of her cries; but just as he had begun to question her, a distant footstep was heard, ands uttering a loud shriek, and crying He comes! he comes! the female broke from him and disappeared.
Fresh shrieks were presently heard in a more piteous tone than before, mixed with angry exclamations in a mans voice, which Cholmondeley fancied sounded like that of Nightgall. A door was next shut with great violence; and all became silent.
While he was musing on this strange occurrence, Cholmondeley heard footsteps advancing along the passage on the left, and in another moment Lawrence Nightgall stood before him.
The jailer, who carried a lamp, eyed the captive for a few moments in silence, and with savage satisfaction.
It is to you, then, I owe my imprisonment, villain, said Cholmondeley, regarding him sternly.
It is, replied the jailer; and you can readily conjecture, I doubt not, why I have thus dealt with you.
I can, resumed the esquire; your jealousy prompted you to the deed. But you shall bitterly rue it.
Bah! exclaimed Nightgall. You are wholly in my power. I am not, however, come to threaten, but to offer you freedom.
On what terms? demanded Cholmondeley.
On these, replied the jailer, scowling that you swear to abandon Cicely.
Never! replied the esquire.
Then your fate is sealed, rejoined Nightgall. You shall never quit this spot.
Think not to move me by any such idle threat, returned Cholmondeley. You dare not detain me.
Who shall prevent me? laughed the jailor, scornfully. I, alone, possess the key of these dungeons. You are their sole occupant.
That is false, retorted the esquire. There is another captive, a miserable female, whom I, myself, have seen.
Has she been here? cried Nightgall, with a look of disquietude.
Not many minutes since, replied the other, fixing a scrutinizing glance upon him. She came in search of her child. What have you done with it, villain?
Cholmondeley had no particular object in making the inquiry. But he was astonished at the effect produced by it on the jailer, who started and endeavoured to hide his confusion by pulling his cap over his brows.
She is a maniac, he said, at length, in a hoarse voice.
If it be so, rejoined the esquire, severely; she has been driven out of her senses by your barbarous usage. I more than suspect you have murdered her child.
Entertain what suspicions you please, replied Nightgall, evidently relieved by the surmise. I am not accountable for the ravings of a distracted woman.
Who is she? demanded the esquire.
The names of those confined within these cells are never divulged, returned the jailer. She has been a prisoner of state for nineteen years.
And during that term her child was born ha? pursued Cholmondeley.
I will answer no further questions, replied Nightgall, doggedly. One word before I depart. I am not your only enemy. You have others more powerful, and equally implacable. You have incurred the displeasure of the Privy Council, and I have a warrant, under the hands of its chief members, for your execution. I am now about to summon the headsman for the task.
Then your offer to liberate me was mere mockery, observed the esquire.
Not so, replied the other; and I again repeat it. Swear to abandon Cicely, and to maintain profound silence as to what you have just seen, and I will convey you by a secret passage underneath the Tower moat to a place of security, where you will be beyond the reach of your enemies, and will take the risk of your escape upon myself. Do you agree to this?
No, replied Cholmondeley, firmly. I distrust your statement, and defy your malice.
Obstinate fool! growled the jailer. Prepare to meet your fate in an hour.
Whenever it comes it will find me prepared, rejoined the esquire.
Nightgall glared at him fiercely for a moment from beneath his shaggy brows. He then strode sullenly away. But his departure was prevented by Cicely, who suddenly appeared at the mouth of the dungeon.
You here! he exclaimed recoiling, and trembling as if an apparition had crossed his path. How have you obtained admittance?,
It matters not, she answered. I am come to purchase your prisoners freedom.
You know the terms? rejoined the jailer, eagerly.
I do, she replied; and will comply with them when you have fulfilled your share of the compact.
Cicely! cried Cholmondeley, who had been to the full as much astonished at her unexpected appearance as the jailer. Cicely! he cried, starting to his feet, and extending his hands towards her. Do not consent to his proposal. Do not sacrifice yourself for me. I would die a thousand deaths rather than you should be his.
Heed him not, interposed Nightgall, grasping her arm, and preventing her from approaching her lover; but attend to me. You see this warrant, he added, producing a parchment. It is from the Council, and directs that the prisoners execution shall take place in such manner as may best consist with despatch and secrecy. If I deliver it to Manger, the headsman, it will be promptly obeyed. And I shall deliver it, unless you promise compliance.
The villain deceives you, dear Cicely, cried Cholmondeley, in a voice of anguish. The Council have not the power of life and death. They cannot dare not order my execution without form or trial.
The Council will answer for their actions themselves, rejoined Nightgall, carelessly. Their warrant will bear me and my comrades harmless. Mauger will not hesitate to act upon it. What is your determination, Cicely?
Free him, she replied.
Recal your words, sweet Cicely, cried Cholmondeley, throwing himself at her feet, if you have any love for me. You doom me to worse than death by this submission.
Cholmondeley, she replied in a mournful voice, my resolution is taken, and even you cannot induce me to change it. The opening of our love has been blighted. My heart has been crushed, almost before it knew for whom it beat. It matters not now what becomes of me. If my life could preserve yours, or restore you to freedom, I would freely yield it. But as nothing will suffice except my hand, I give that. Think of me no more, or think of me only as anothers.
That thought were madness! groaned Cholmondeley.
Master Lawrence Nightgall, continued Cicely, you say you can conduct the prisoner beyond the walls of the Tower, Bring me back some token that you have done so, and I am yours.
Willingly, replied the jailer.
Retire then for a moment, while I arrange with him what the token shall be.
Nightgall hesitated.
Refuse, and I retract my promise, she added.
And the jailer, with a suspicious look, reluctantly left the cell.
Cicely, my beloved, cried Cholmondeley, clasping her in his arms, why why have you done this?
To preserve you, she replied, hurriedly. Once out of this dungeon, I can bring assistance to liberate you.
Indeed! ejaculated Nightgall, who, having placed his ear to the wall, lost not a syllable of their discourse.
It will be unavailing, replied Cholmondeley. No one will venture to oppose an order of the Council. You must make known my case to Lord Guilford Dudley. Take this ring. Explain all to him, and I may yet be saved. Do you hear me, Cicely?