We not go up again till lady sends leave. Go
to!"
Gregory mounted with great difficulty. When he approached the mouth,
looking upward for some mode of exit, he saw the trap-door slowly open,
and he leapt forth into the free air; the cool atmosphere and the quiet
moonlight again upon his path. He soon cleared the bushes, and once more
was on his way to the house. Elizabeth met him at the gate.
"What ho, sirrah!" said she, "hast thou been loitering with my message?
I left my chamber to look out for thee. What answer? Quick."
"Why, forsooth, 'tis not easy to say, methinks, for such jabber is hard
to interpret. By my lady's leave, I think"--
Here he paused; but Elizabeth was impatient for the expected reply.
"Softly, softly, mistress. I but thought your worship were ill bestowed
on yonder ugly image."
"Tut, I'm not i' the humour for thine. What message, simpleton?"
"None, good mistress; but that they be snug until further orders."
"'Tis well; to rest; but hark thee, knave, be honest and discreet; thou
shall win both gold and great honours thereby."
"What! shall I ha' my share o' the treasure?" inquired Gregory, his eyes
glistening in the broad moonlight.
Pages:
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917