A flash came into the eyes of Ellis Duckworth.
“Nay,” he said, “the devil is still
strong within me. But be at rest; the Black
Arrow flieth nevermore—the fellowship is
broken. They that still live shall come to their
quiet and ripe end, in Heaven’s good time, for
me; and for yourself, go where your better fortune
calls you, and think no more of Ellis.”
About nine in the morning, Lord Foxham was leading
his ward, once more dressed as befitted her sex, and
followed by Alicia Risingham, to the church of Holywood,
when Richard Crookback, his brow already heavy with
cares, crossed their path and paused.
“Is this the maid?” he asked; and when
Lord Foxham had replied in the affirmative, “Minion,”
he added, “hold up your face until I see its
favour.”
He looked upon her sourly for a little.
“Ye are fair,” he said at last, “and,
as they tell me, dowered. How if I offered you
a brave marriage, as became your face and parentage?”
“My lord duke,” replied Joanna, “may
it please your grace, I had rather wed with Sir Richard.”
“How so?” he asked, harshly. “Marry
but the man I name to you, and he shall be my lord,
and you my lady, before night. For Sir Richard,
let me tell you plainly, he will die Sir Richard.”
“I ask no more of Heaven, my lord, than but
to die Sir Richard’s wife,” returned Joanna.
“Look ye at that, my lord,” said Gloucester,
turning to Lord Foxham. “Here be a pair
for you. The lad, when for good services I gave
him his choice of my favour, chose but the grace of
an old, drunken shipman. I did warn him freely,
but he was stout in his besottedness. ‘Here
dieth your favour,’ said I; and he, my lord,
with a most assured impertinence, ‘Mine be the
loss,’ quoth he. It shall be so, by the
rood!”
“Said he so?” cried Alicia. “Then
well said, lion-driver!”
“Who is this?” asked the duke.
“A prisoner of Sir Richard’s,” answered
Lord Foxham; “Mistress Alicia Risingham.”
“See that she be married to a sure man,”
said the duke.
“I had thought of my kinsman, Hamley, an it
like your grace,” returned Lord Foxham.
“He hath well served the cause.”
“It likes me well,” said Richard.
“Let them be wedded speedily. Say, fair
maid, will you wed?”
“My lord duke,” said Alicia, “so
as the man is straight”—And there,
in a perfect consternation, the voice died on her tongue.
“He is straight, my mistress,” replied
Richard, calmly. “I am the only crookback
of my party; we are else passably well shapen.
Ladies, and you, my lord,” he added, with a sudden
change to grave courtesy, “judge me not too
churlish if I leave you. A captain, in the time
of war, hath not the ordering of his hours.”
And with a very handsome salutation he passed on,
followed by his officers.
