The Strong Arm | Page 7

of the battle-field, back to mine own
land with my heart full of yearning love for it and for all within its
boundaries. I came even from prison, captured in fair fight, by an
untaught heathen, whose men lay slain by my hand, yet with the
nobility of a true warrior, he asked neither ransom nor hostage, but
handed back my sword, saying, 'Go in peace.' That in a heathen land!
but no sooner does my foot rest on this Christian soil than I am met by
false smiles and lying tongues, and my welcome to a neighbour's house
is the clank of the inthrust bolt."
"Oh, it was a shameful act and not to be defended," cried the girl, with
moist eyes and quivering lip, the sympathetic reverberation of her voice
again arresting the impatient steps of the young man, causing him to
pause and view her with a feeling that he could not understand, and
which he found some difficulty in controlling. Suddenly all desire for
restraint left him, he sprang forward, clasped the girl in his arms and
drew her into the middle of the room, where she could not give the
signal that might open the door.
"My Lord! my Lord!" she cried in terror, struggling without avail to
free herself.
"You said all's fair in war and saying so, gave but half the proverb,
which adds, all's fair in love as well, and maiden, nymph of the
woodland, so rapidly does a man learn that which he has never been
taught, I proclaim with confidence that I love thee."
"A diffident and gentle lover you prove yourself!" she gasped with
rising indignation, holding him from her.

"Indeed, my girl, there was little of diffidence or gentleness in my
warring, and my wooing is like to have a touch of the same quality. It is
useless to struggle for I have thee firm, so take to yourself some of that
gentleness you recommend to me."
He strove to kiss her, but Beatrix held her head far from him, her open
palm pressed against the red cross that glowed upon his breast, keeping
him thus at arm's length.
"Count von Schonburg, what is the treachery of any other compared
with yours? You came heedlessly into this castle, suspecting as you say,
no danger: I came within this room to do you service, knowing my peril,
but trusting to the honour of a true soldier of the Cross, and this is my
reward! First tear from your breast this sacred emblem, valorous
assaulter of a defenceless woman, for it should be worn by none but
stainless gentlemen."
Count Herbert's arms relaxed, and his hands dropped listless to his
sides.
"By my sword," he said, "they taught you invective in the forest. You
are free. Go."
The girl made no motion to profit by her newly acquired liberty, but
stood there, glancing sideways at him who scowled menacingly at her.
When at last she spoke, she said, shyly: "I have not yet fulfilled my
mission."
"Fulfil it then in the fiend's name and begone."
"Will you consent to see my Lady the Countess?"
"No."
"Will you promise not to make war upon her if you are released?"
"No."

"If, in spite of your boorishness, she sets you free, what will you do?"
"I will rally my followers to my banner, scatter the forces that surround
my castle, then demolish this prison trap."
"Am I in truth to carry such answers to the Countess?"
"You are to do as best pleases you, now and forever."
"I am but a simple serving-maid, and know nothing of high questions
of state, yet it seems to me such replies do not oil prison bolts, and
believe me, I grieve to see you thus detained."
"I am grateful for your consideration. Is your embassy completed?"
The girl, her eyes on the stone floor, paused long before replying, then
said, giving no warning of a change of subject, and still not raising her
eyes to his:
"You took me by surprise; I am not used to being handled roughly; you
forget the distance between your station and mine, you being a noble of
the Empire, and I but a serving-maid; if, in my anger, I spoke in a
manner unbecoming one so humble, I do beseech that your Lordship
pardon me."
"Now by the Cross to which you appealed, how long will you stand
chattering there? Think you I am made of adamant, and not of flesh and
blood? My garments are tattered at best, I would in woman's company
they were finer, and this cross of Genoa red hangs to my tunic, but by a
few frail threads. Beware, therefore, that I tear it not from my breast as
you advised, and cast it from me."