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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?
I do, she replied And I, added Nightgall.
In case you fail, continued the esquire, the token of my escape shall be And placing his lips close to her ear, he spoke a few words in so low a tone, that they escaped the jailer. Till you receive that token treat Nightgall as before.
Doubt it not, she answered.
I am content, said the esquire.
I see through the design, muttered the jailer, and will defeat it. Have you done? he added, aloud.
A moment, replied Cholmondeloy, again pressing the damsel to his bosom, I would sooner part with my lifes-blood than resign you.
I must go, she cried, disengaging herself from his embrace. Now, Master Nightgall, I am ready to attend you.
In an hour I shall return and release you, said the jailer, addressing the prisoner. Your hand, Cicely.
I will go alone, she replied, shrinking from him with a look of abhorrence.
As you please, he rejoined, with affected carelessness. You are mine.
Not till I have received the token. Farewell! she murmured, turning her tearful gaze upon Cholmondeley.
For ever! exclaimed the youth.
And as they quitted the cell, he threw himself despairingly on the ground.
Issuing from the outer door of the dungeon, Cicely and her companion took their way towards the Stone Kitchen. They had not proceeded far, when they perceived several persons approaching them, who, as they drew nearer, proved to be Dame Potentia, Xit, and the giants.
What have you been doing, Cicely? inquired her adoptive mother, angrily. I have been searching for you everywhere!
You shall know anon, replied the maiden. But come with me to the palace. I must see Lord Guilford Dudley, or the Duke of Northumberland, without a moments delay.
Warders, interposed Nightgall, authoritatively: go to Master Mangers lodging in the Bloody Tower. Bid him hasten with two assistants, and the sworn tormentor, to the dungeon beneath the Devilin Tower. He will know which I mean. Justice is about to be done upon a prisoner.
Oh no no do not go, cried Cicely, arresting the giants. He does not mean it. He is jesting.
Go home, then, and do not stir forth till I bring you the token, rejoined Nightgall, in a deep whisper.
In Heavens name, what is the meaning of all this? cried Dame Potentia, in amazement.
I will inform you, replied the jailer, drawing her aside. Your daughter was about to elope with the young esquire. I detected them trying to escape by the secret passage beneath the moat, of which you know I have the key. Lock her within her chamber. Pay no attention to her tears, entreaties, or assertions. And, above all, take care no one has any communication with her.
Trust me to guard her, rejoined Dame Potentia. I know what these court-gallants are. They will venture anything, and contrive anything, when a pretty girl is concerned. But what has happened to the esquire?
He is safe for the present, answered Nightgall, significantly.
Cicely, meantime, had availed herself of their conversation, to whisper a few words to Xit.
Take this ring, she said, placing the ornament given her by her lover, in the hands of the dwarf, and fly to the palace. Show it to Lord Guilford Dudley, and say that the wearer is imprisoned in the dungeons beneath the Devilin Tower. Assistance must be speedily rendered, as he is ordered for immediate and secret execution. Do you understand?
Most precisely, lovely damsel, replied Xit, kissing her hand, as he took the ring; and I guess the name and condition of the prisoner, as well as the nature of the interest you take in him.
Fly! interrupted Cicely. Not a moment is to be lost. You shall be well rewarded for your trouble.
I desire no higher reward than your thanks, adorable maiden, replied Xit. Your behests shall be punctually obeyed. So saying, he disappeared.
Come, young mistress, cried Dame Potentia, seizing her adoptive daughters arm, you must to your chamber. You have led me and your father, and these worthy warders, a pretty dance. But you shall lead us all where you list, if I let you out of my sight in future.
And thanking the giants, who had looked on in speechless astonishment, she dragged Cicely along with her.
Remember! whispered Nightgall, as he walked a few paces by the side of the latter.
I shall expect the token in an hour, she answered in the same tone.
You shall have it, he rejoined.
With this, he halted, and retraced his steps. The others then separated. Cicely was conveyed to the Stone Kitchen; and the giants, after looking in vain for Xit, and calling to him repeatedly but without effect, returned to the By-ward Tower. Just as they reached it, a shot was fired from the battlements, and was immediately answered from those of the Middle Tower. Other reports followed. And, alarmed by the sounds, the huge brethren hastily unlocked the door of their lodging, and entering it, to their infinite dismay, found the prisoner gone.
VIII. HOW GILBERT ESCAPED FROM THE BY-WARD TOWER, AND SWAM ACROSS THE MOAT; HOW OG HUNG XIT UPON A HOOK; AND HOW LAWRENCE NIGHTGALL BROUGHT THE TOKEN TO CICELY
Gilbert having freed himself from his bonds, and clambered into the chimney in the By-ward Tower in the manner previously related, ascended without any inconvenience, except what was occasioned by the pungent smoke arising from the blazing fagots beneath, until he reached the level of the upper story, where another fire-place, connected with the passage up which he was mounting, so narrowed its limits, that it seemed scarcely possible to proceed further. The sound of voices in the chamber on this floor also alarmed him, and for some minutes he suspended his labour to listen. But as nothing occurred to disturb him, and it was evident, from the conversation of the speakers, that he had not been noticed, he presently resumed his task, and redoubling his efforts, soon vanquished all obstacles, and gained the opening of the chimney.
Here a fresh difficulty awaited him; and one for which he was wholly unprepared. The smoke found a vent through a small circular opening or louver, as it was termed, for there was no chimney-top to disperse it to the air, in the battlements. Through this opening he must necessarily creep; and, provided he could accomplish the feat, he had to elude the vigilance of the sentinels stationed on the roof of the turret. Luckily, the night was profoundly dark; and the gloom, increased by a thick mist from the river, was so intense, that an object could scarcely be discerned at a foots distance. Thus favoured, Gilbert resolved to hazard the attempt.
Watching his opportunity, he drew himself cautiously through the louver, and without being noticed by the sentinel, who was standing beside it, crouched beneath the carriage of a culverin. In this state, he remained for a short time, meditating what course he should next pursue, and nerving himself for some desperate attempt, when a door at the side of the southern turret suddenly opened, and three men-at-arms, the foremost of whom carried a torch, came to relieve guard.
Aware that he should now infallibly be discovered, Gilbert started to his feet, and drawing a dagger which he had picked up in the giants chamber, stood upon his defence. The movement betrayed him. Though confounded by his appearance, the sentinel nearest him presented his partizan at his breast and commanded him to surrender. Gilbert answered by striking up the mans arm, and instantly sprang over the battlements.