登陆注册
5391700000103

第103章 HOW NORMAN LESLIE SAW THE MAID IN HER PRISON(2)

"But as touching this Puzel,how may I have my view of her,that you graciously offered me?""My men change guard at curfew,"he said;"five come out and five go in,and I shall bid them seek you here at your lodgings.So now,farewell,and your revenge with the dice you shall have when so you will.""Nay,pardon me one moment:when relieve you the guard that enters at curfew?""An hour after point of day.But,now I bethink me,you scarce will care to pass all the night in the Puzel's company.Hast thou paper or parchment?"I set paper and ink before him,who said -"Nay,write yourself;I am no great clerk,yet I can sign and seal."Therewith,at his wording,I set down an order to the Castle porter to let me forth as early in the night as I would.This pass he signed with his name,and sealed with his ring,bearing his arms.

"So I wish you joy of this tryst and bonne fortune,"he said,and departed.

I had two hours before me ere curfew rang,and the time was more than I needed.Therefore I went first to the Church of St.Ouen,which is very great and fair,and there clean confessed me,and made my orisons that,if it were God's will,this enterprise might turn to His honour,and to the salvation of the Maid.And pitifully Ibesought Madame St.Catherine of Fierbois,that as she had delivered me,a sinner,she would deliver the Sister of the Saints.

Next I went back to my lodgings,and there bade the hostler to have my two best steeds saddled and bridled in stall,by point of day,for a council was being held that night in the Castle,and I and another of Sir Thomas's company might be sent early with a message to the Bishop of Avranches.This holy man,as then,was a cause of trouble and delay to the Regent and Pierre Cauchon,Bishop of Beauvais,because he was just,and fell not in with their treasons.

Next I clad myself in double raiment,doublet above doublet,and hose over hose,my doublets bearing the red cross of St.George.

Over all I threw a great mantle,falling to the feet,as if I feared the night chills.Thereafter I made a fair copy of my own writing in the pass given to me by John Grey,and copied his signature also,and feigned his seal with a seal of clay,for it might chance that two passes proved better than one.Then I put in a little wallet hanging to my girdle the signet of Sir Thomas Grey,and the pass given to me by John Grey,also an ink-horn with pen and paper,and in my hand,secretly,I held that phial which I had bought of the apothecary in Tours.All my gold and jewels I hid about my body;Isharpened my sword and dagger,and then had no more to do but wait till curfew rang.

This was the weariest part of all;for what,I thought,if John Grey had forgotten his promise,the wine being about his wits.Therefore I walked hither and thither in my chamber,in much misdoubt;but at the chime of curfew I heard rude voices below,and a heavy step on the stairs.It was a man-at-arms of the basest sort,who,lurching with his shoulder against my door,came in,and said that he and his fellows waited my pleasure.Thereon I showed him the best countenance,and bade my host fill a pannier with meat and cakes and wine,to pass the hours in the prison merrily.I myself ran down into the host's cellar,and was very busy in tasting wine,for Iwould have the best.And in making my choice,while the host stooped over a cask to draw a fresh tankard,I poured all the drugs of my phial into a large pewter vessel with a lid,filled it with wine,and,tasting it,swore it would serve my turn.This flagon,such as we call a 'tappit hen'in my country,but far greater,Ibore with me up the cellar stairs,and gave it to one of the guard,bidding him spill not a drop,or he should go thirsty.

The lourdaud,that was their captain,carried the pannier,and,laughing,we crossed the street and the moat,giving the word "Bedford."To the porter I showed my pass,telling him that,though I was loath to disturb him,I counted not to watch all night in the cell,wherefore I gave him a gold piece for the trouble he might have in letting me go forth at an hour untimely.Herewith he was well content,and so,passing the word to the sentinel at each post,we entered.

And now,indeed,my heart beat so that my body seemed to shake with hope and fear as I walked.At the door of the chamber wherein the Maid lay we met her guards coming forth,who cried roughly,bidding her good even,and to think well of what waited her,meaning the torments.They tumbled down the stairs laughing,while we went in,and I last.It was a dark vaulted chamber with one window near the roof,narrow and heavily barred.In the recess by the window was a brazier burning,and casting as much shadow as light by reason of the smoke.Here also was a rude table,stained with foul circles of pot-rims,and there were five or six stools.On a weighty oaken bed lay one in man's raiment,black in hue,her face downwards,and her arms spread over her neck.It could scarce be that she slept,but she lay like one dead,only shuddering when the lourdaud,the captain of the guard,smote her on the shoulder,asking,in English,how she did?

"Here she is,sir,surly as ever,and poor company for Christian men.See you how cunningly all her limbs are gyved,and chained to the iron bolts of the bed?What would my lady Jeanne give me for this little master-key?"Here he showed a slender key,hung on a steel chain about his neck.

"Never a saint of the three,Michael,Margaret,and Catherine,can take this from me;nay,nor the devils who wear their forms.""Have you seen this fair company of hers?"I whispered in English,crossing myself.

同类推荐
  • 禅宗指掌

    禅宗指掌

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 蒙鞑备录

    蒙鞑备录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 上清镇元荣灵经

    上清镇元荣灵经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 学仕遗规补编

    学仕遗规补编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 伤寒括要

    伤寒括要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 哇,历史原来可以这样学4

    哇,历史原来可以这样学4

    平实严谨说历史,轻松幽默神吐槽,一本保证让你爱上“历史”的超级畅销书!本书从戊戌变法开始说起,一直讲述到辛亥革命爆发之后,这是一段清朝末年清政府大梦初醒想要救亡图存却最终失败的历史,作者用风趣幽默的笔调和通俗易懂的范例向读者解读了清朝为什么注定会走向灭亡。李鸿章为什么要背负骂名签下丧权辱国的条约?八国联军侵华战争爆发的直接原因是信息传递被阻塞?为什么经过洋务运动“包装”过的清政府在外敌入侵面前仍然不堪一击?这本书将为你一一解答。
  • 笑话中的心理学

    笑话中的心理学

    心理学是一门有趣的学科,具有很重要的现实意义,但是专业的心理学书籍往往布满了偏僻的专业术语,导致非心理学专业的人们被拒之门外,无法享受其中的奥妙。本书则正是为了弥补这个遗憾——一本以笑话之名,化繁为简地讲述心理学知识的书籍。希望它可以实现的使命——有助于读者离开懵懂之门,进入自我体察与社会认知的大门——哪怕它只是提供了微小的帮助。
  • 当NPC来做游戏

    当NPC来做游戏

    游戏设计师意外去世,留下一个未完成的冒险游戏。游戏主角为了完成拯救公主的任务,只能亲自动手将游戏补完。这是一个讲述npc开公司做游戏的故事!书友群:766863477 另外,新书《不浪漫奇幻世界》已经发布了,刚开始写,比较慢热的,感兴趣的可以先收藏着,非常感谢!
  • 智慧卓著的思想家(1)(世界名人成长历程)

    智慧卓著的思想家(1)(世界名人成长历程)

    《世界名人成长历程——智慧卓著的思想家(1)》本书分为泰勒斯、老子、孔子等部分。
  • 约讯随笔

    约讯随笔

    感知世间冷暖,体会人间百态。愿一切如此,愿一切都来得及。
  • 热武侠

    热武侠

    一点星火燃起广阔原野,寂静百年的天朝上国从此沸腾起来。金戈铁马,龙蛇起舞,又一个武侠的大时代从此拉开。(数群:312700689)
  • 男人要懂心理学

    男人要懂心理学

    《男人要懂心理学》内容简介:人际关系很重要,成熟的男人应该做到以下几点:在单位里被上级重视,被下级钦佩,与同事相处融洽;在客户和朋友圈里受欢迎,被尊重;在女友或老婆面前被关怀。发言有权威。这些都取决于男人能否游刃其间,权衡每个人的心理活动,灵活把握各方面的关系。从容化解各种危机和矛盾。
  • 邪王追妻之废材逆天诛仙陨

    邪王追妻之废材逆天诛仙陨

    21世纪,她是杀手界巅峰的存在,冷血嗜血是她的标志!殇岐大陆,他是众人仰望的神邸一般的存在!杀伐果断是他的常态!一场背叛,她穿越时光来到他的身边,一眼万年,他在人群中看中了她,从此不离不弃,只为意中人能够安好!
  • 盛宠凉薄爱妻

    盛宠凉薄爱妻

    她生性冷淡,纵然身处逆境亦活得潇洒自在。隐匿三年归来,简云裳只想讨回原本属于她的东西。顺便让那些曾欺辱过她的人知道,作恶就要付出应有的代价!蒋牧尘,京都街闻巷议的豪门阔少。俊帅无韬、杀伐果决,却从未有女人能入他法眼。一场始于她有预谋的利用,令他失了理智,强硬娶她入门。只是被迫嫁给蒋牧尘后,一切似乎都失去了控制……这个男人似乎与传闻中的不一样!木讷?不解风情?那是谁,会因为她说饿了,半夜亲自下厨?又是谁,甚至甘愿成为她手中的剑,斩平荆棘?----“姐姐?”简云裳皱眉,“我记得DNA鉴定书上,咱们的相似度也不过百分之一,认错人了吧。”简薇薇一脸的难堪,“你不过是因为薛立珩选择了我,心有不甘所以故意抹黑我,是不是?”“云裳,我跟薇薇是真心相爱的,你不要这样。”薛立珩一脸的深情凝视。“呵,你们爱咋咋,我一点儿也不在乎。”简云裳笑得云淡风轻。边上优雅气质的男人揽过简云裳的腰,“宝贝,我们回家吧,有我在,你还看得上其他的男人?”渣男渣女当场石化。----简云裳看着正在给宝宝换尿不湿,脸上俱是温柔的男人,扶额哀叹:“蒋牧尘,就算你做的这么好,我也还是不爱你!”“都生下了我的种,还说这样自欺欺人的话,老婆,你真是口是心非。”男人一脸宠溺的走过来,对着简云裳吧唧一口。
  • 隐藏在校园的异能少年

    隐藏在校园的异能少年

    放弃颓废的开始,蜕变自己,开始新的生活,荣耀一生。