INVESTIGATION OF THE ADVENTURE OF THE HUNTING---A DISCOVERY---GREGORY'S MANHOOD---FATE OF GASTON ST.CLERE---CONCLUSION.
So soon as they arrived at the princely mansion of Boteler, the Lady Emma craved permission to retire to her chamber that she might compose her spirits after the terror she had undergone.Henry St.Clere, in a few words, proceeded to explain the adventure to the curious audience.``Ihad no sooner seen my sister's palfrey, in spite of her endeavours to the contrary, entering with spirit into the chase set on foot by the worshipful Gregory, than I rode after to give her assistance.So long was the chase, that when the greyhounds pulled down the knobbler, we were out of hearing of your bugles; and having rewarded and coupled the dogs, I gave them to be led by the jester, and we wandered in quest of our company, whom it would seem the sport had led in a different direction.At length, passing through the thicket where you found us, I was surprised by a cross-bow bolt whizzing past mine head.I drew my sword, and rushed into the thicket, but was instantly assailed by two ruffians, while other two made towards my sister and Gregory.The poor knave fled, crying for help, pursued by my false kinsman, now your prisoner; and the designs of the other on my poor Emma (murderous, no doubt) were prevented by the sudden apparition of a brave woodsman, who, after a short encounter, stretched the miscreant at his feet, and came to my assistance.I was already slightly wounded, and nearly overlaid with odds.The combat lasted some time, for the caitiffs were both well armed, strong, and desperate;at length, however, we had each mastered our antagonist, when your retinue, my Lord Boteler, arrived to my relief.So ends my story;but, by my knighthood, I would give an earl's ransom for an opportunity of thanking the gallant forester by whose aid I live to tell it.''
``Fear not,'' said Lord Boteler, ``he shall be found, if this or the four adjacent counties hold him---And now Lord Fitzosborne will be pleased to doff the armour he has so kindly assumed for our sakes, and we will all bowne ourselves for the banquet.''
When the hour of dinner approached, the Lady Matilda and her cousin visited the chamber of the fair Darcy.They found her in a composed but melancholy posture.She turned the discourse upon the misfortunes of her life, and hinted, that having recovered her brother, and seeing him look forward to the society of one who would amply repay to him the loss of hers, she had thoughts of dedicating her remaining life to Heaven, by whose providential interference it had been so often preserved.
Matilda coloured deeply at something in this speech, and her cousin inveighed loudly against Emma's resolution.``Ah, my dear Lady Eleanor,''
replied she, ``I have to-day witnessed what I cannot but judge a super-natural visitation, and to what end can it call me but to give myself to the altar? That peasant who guided me to Baddow through the Park of Danbury, the same who appeared before me at different times, and in different forms, during that eventful journey---that youth, whose features are imprinted on my memory, is the very individual forester who this day rescued us in the forest.I cannot be mistaken; and connecting these marvellous appearances with the spectre which I saw while at Gay Bowers, I cannot resist the conviction that Heaven has permitted my guardian angel to assume mortal shape for my relief and protection.''
The fair cousins, after exchanging looks which implied a fear that her mind was wandering, answered her in soothing terms, and finally prevailed upon her to accompany them to the banqueting-hall.Here the first person they encountered was the Baron Fitzosborne of Diggswell, now divested of his armour; at the sight of whom the Lady Emma changed colour, and exclaiming, ``It is the same!'' sunk senseless into the arms of Matilda.
``She is bewildered by the terrors of the day,'' said Eleanor; ``and we have done ill in obliging her to descend.''
``And I,'' said Fitzosborne, ``have done madly in presenting before her one, whose presence must recall moments the most alarming in her life.''
While the ladies supported Emma from the hall, Lord Boteler and St.
Clere requested an explanation from Fitzosborne of the words he had used.
``Trust me, gentle lords,'' said the Baron of Diggswell, ``ye shall have what ye demand, when I learn that Lady Emma Darcy has not suffered from my imprudence.''
At this moment Lady Matilda returning, said that her fair friend, on her recovery, had calmly and deliberately insisted that she had seen Fitzosborne before, in the most dangerous crisis of her life.
``I dread,'' said she, ``her disordered mind connects all that her eye beholds with the terrible passages that she has witnessed.''
``Nay,'' said Fitzosborne, ``if noble St.Clere can pardon the unauthorised interest which, with the purest and most honourable intentions, I have taken in his sister's fate, it is easy for me to explain this mysterious impression.''