Ascend the watch-tower yonder, valiant soldier,
Look on the field, and say how goes the battle.
Schiller’s Maid of Orleans
A moment of peril is often also a moment of open-hearted
kindness and affection. We are thrown off our
guard by the general agitation of our feelings, and
betray the intensity of those, which, at more tranquil
periods, our prudence at least conceals, if it cannot
altogether suppress them. In finding herself once
more by the side of Ivanhoe, Rebecca was astonished
at the keen sensation of pleasure which she experienced,
even at a time when all around them both was danger,
if not despair. As she felt his pulse, and enquired
after his health, there was a softness in her touch
and in her accents implying a kinder interest than
she would herself have been pleased to have voluntarily
expressed. Her voice faltered and her hand trembled,
and it was only the cold question of Ivanhoe, “Is
it you, gentle maiden?” which recalled her to
herself, and reminded her the sensations which she
felt were not and could not be mutual. A sigh
escaped, but it was scarce audible; and the questions
which she asked the knight concerning his state of
health were put in the tone of calm friendship.
Ivanhoe answered her hastily that he was, in point
of health, as well, and better than he could have expected
—–“Thanks,” he said, “dear
Rebecca, to thy helpful skill.”
“He calls me dear Rebecca,” said
the maiden to herself, “but it is in the cold
and careless tone which ill suits the word. His
war-horse—–his hunting hound, are
dearer to him than the despised Jewess!”
“My mind, gentle maiden,” continued Ivanhoe,
“is more disturbed by anxiety, than my body
with pain. From the speeches of those men who
were my warders just now, I learn that I am a prisoner,
and, if I judge aright of the loud hoarse voice which
even now dispatched them hence on some military duty,
I am in the castle of Front-de-Boeuf—–If
so, how will this end, or how can I protect Rowena
and my father?”
“He names not the Jew or Jewess,” said
Rebecca internally; “yet what is our portion
in him, and how justly am I punished by Heaven for
letting my thoughts dwell upon him!” She hastened
after this brief self-accusation to give Ivanhoe what
information she could; but it amounted only to this,
that the Templar Bois-Guilbert, and the Baron Front-de-Boeuf,
were commanders within the castle; that it was beleaguered
from without, but by whom she knew not. She added,
that there was a Christian priest within the castle
who might be possessed of more information.
“A Christian priest!” said the knight,
joyfully; “fetch him hither, Rebecca, if thou
canst—–say a sick man desires his
ghostly counsel—–say what thou wilt,
but bring him—–something I must do
or attempt, but how can I determine until I know how
matters stand without?”
Rebecca in compliance with the wishes of Ivanhoe,
made that attempt to bring Cedric into the wounded
Knight’s chamber, which was defeated as we have
already seen by the interference of Urfried, who had
also been on the watch to intercept the supposed monk.
Rebecca retired to communicate to Ivanhoe the result
of her errand.
