the caged lion-第58章
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no sooner were our backs turned； than what doth Mistress Agnes but weday； wed outrightone Tom of the Lee； a sneaking rogue that either of us would have beat black and blue； had we ever seen him utter a word to her？ A knight's ladynot to say twoas she might have been！ So； my lord； we not being willing to go home and be a laughing…stock； crave your license to be of your guard as we were of King Harry's； and show how far we can go among the French。'
'And welcome； no good swords can be other than welcome！' said Bedford； not diverted as his brother would have been； but with a heartiness that never failed to win respectful affection。
Long did James and Bedford walk up and down the Castle court together； while the embarkation was going on。 The question weighed on them both whether they should ever meet more； after eighteen years of youth spent together。
'Youth is gone；' said Bedford。 'We have been under a mighty master； and now God help us to do his work。'
'You！' said James； 'but for meit is like to be the library and the Round Tower again。'
'Scarcely；' said Bedford； 'the Beauforts will never rest till Joan is on a throne。'
James smiled。
'Ay；' said Bedford； 'the Bishop of Winchester will be no small power； you will find。 Would that I could throw up this France and come home； for he and Humfrey will clash for ever。 James； an you love me； see Humfrey alone； and remind him that all the welfare of Harry's child may hang on his forbearanceon union with the Bishop。 Tell him； if he ever loved the noblest brother that ever lived； to rein himself in； and live only for the child's good； not his own。 Tell him that Bedford and Gloucester must be nothing henceforthonly heads and hands doing Harry's will for his babe。 Oh； James； what can you tell Humfrey that will make him put himself aside？'
'You have writ to him Harry's words as to Dame Jac？'
'The wanton！ ay； I have； and if you can whisper in his ear that matter of Malcolm and the signet； it might lessen his inclination。 But；' he sighed； 'I have little hope； James； I see nothing for Lancaster but that which the old man at York invoked upon us！'
'Yet； when I look at you and Humfrey； and think of the contrast with my own father's brethren； I see nothing but hope and promise for England；' said James。
'We must do our best； however heavy…hearted；' said John of Bedford； pausing in his walk； and standing steadfast。 'The rod becomes a palm to those who do not freshly bring it on themselves。 May this poor child of Harry's be bred up so that he may be fit to meet evil or good！'
'Poor child；' repeated James。 'Were he not there； and you'
'Peace； James；' said Bedford； 'it is well that such a weight is not added！ While I act for my nephew； I know my duty； were it for myself； methinks I should be crazed with doubts and questions。 Well；' as a messenger came up with tidings that all was ready； 'fare thee well； Jamie。 In you I lose the only man with whom I can speak my mind； or take counsel。 You'll not let me gain a foe； as well as lose a friend； when you get home？'
'Never； in heart； John！' said the King。 'As to handScotland must be to England what she will have her。 Would that I saw my way thither！ Windsor will have lost all that made captivity well…nigh sweet。 And so farewell； dear brother。 I thank you for the granting to me of this sacred charge。'
And so； with hands clasped and wrung together； with tears raining from James's eyes； and a dry settled melancholy more sad than tears on John's countenance； the two friends parted； never again to meet； each to run a course true； brave； and shortextinguished the one in bitter grief； the other in blood。
On All Saints' Day； while James stood with Humfrey of Gloucester at the head of the grave at Westminster； where Henry's earthly form was laid to rest amid the kings his fathers； amid the wail of a people as sorrowful as if they knew all the woes that were to ensue； Bedford was in like manner standing over a grave at the Royal Abbey of St。 Denis。 He； the victor's brother； represented all the princely kindred of Charles VI。 of France； and； with his heart at Westminster； filled the chief mourner's place over the king who had pined to death for his conqueror。
The same infant was proclaimed king over each graveheir to France and England； to Valois and Lancaster。 Poor child； his real heirloom was the insanity of the one and the doom of the other！ Well for him that there was within him that holy innocence that made his life a martyrdom！
CHAPTER XVI： THE CAGE OPEN
More than a year had passed； and it was March when Malcolm was descending the stone stair that leads so picturesquely beneath the archway of its tower up to the hall of the college of St。 Mary Winton； then REALLY New College。 He had been residing there with Dr。 Bennet； associating with the young members of the foundation educated at Winchester； and studying with all the freshness of a recent institution。 It had been a very happy time for him； within the gray stone walls that pleasantly recalled Coldingham； though without Coldingham's defensive aspect； and with ample food for the mind； which had again returned to its natural state of inquiring reflection and ardour for knowledge。
Daily Malcolm woke early； attended Matins and Mass in the chapel； studied grammar and logic； mastered difficult passages in the Fathers； or copied out portions for himself in the chamber which he as a gentleman commoner； as we should call him； possessed； instead of living in a common dormitory with the other scholars。 Or in the open cloister he listened and took notes of the lectures of the fellows and tutors of the college； and seated on a bench or walking up and down received special instructions。 Then ensued the meal； spread in the hall； the period of recreation； in the meadows； or in the licensed sports； or on the river； fresh studies； chapel； and a social but quiet evening over the supper in the hall。 All this was varied by Latin sermons at St。 Mary's； or disputations and lectures by notable doctors； and public arguments between scholars； by which they absolutely fought out their degrees。 There were few colleges as yet； and those resident in them were the elite； beyond； there was a great mob of scholars living in rooms as they could； generally very poor； and often very disorderly； but they did not mar the quiet semi… monastic stillness within the foundations； and to Malcolm it seemed as if the truly congenial home was opened。
The curriculum of science began to reveal itself to him with all the stages so inviting to a mind conscious of power and longing for cultivation。 The books； the learned atmosphere； the infinite possibilities； were delightful to him； and opened a more delightful future。 His metaphysical Scottish mind delighted in the scholastic arguments that were now first set before him； and his readiness； appreciation； and eager power of acquiring surprised his teachers； and made him the pride of New College。
When he looked back at his year of court and camp； he could only marvel at having ever preferred them。 In war his want of bodily strength would make real distinction impossible； here he felt himself excelling； here was absolute enjoyment； and of a kind without drawback。 Scholarship must be his true element and study： the deep universal study of the sisterhood of science that the University offered was his veritable vocation。 Surely it was not without significance that the ring that shone on his finger betrothed him to Esclairmonde； the Light of the World； for though in person the maiden was never to be his own； she was the emblem to him of the pure virgin light of truth and wisdom that he would be for ever wooing； and winning only to see further lights beyond。 Human nature felt a pang at the knowledge that he was bound to deliver up the ring and resign his connection with that fair and stately maiden； but the pain that had been sore at first had diminished under the sense that he stood in a post of generous trust； and that his sacrifice was the passport to her grateful esteem。 He knew her to be with Lady Montagu； awaiting a vacancy at St。 Katharine's； and this would be the signal for dissolving the contract of marriage； afte
