按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
swiftly from the gate to where Hilarius slept； and the Prior was grieved；
and marvelled that the porter had opened to such an one； for it was a grave
scandal that a woman should set foot within the Monastery precincts。 He
strove to cry； but his voice died on his lips； and his feet were as lead。
The woman stayed when she came to the sleeping lad； and stooped to
arouse him； but he slept on。 She called him； and her voice was as the
calling of the summer sea on a shelving beach； but Hilarius gave no heed。
Then； in great impatience； she caught at the white lilies under which he lay；
and； as she broke the flower…crowned stems； Hilarius stirred and cried out
in his sleep； whereat she plucked the faster。 Of a sudden Prior Stephen
was as one set free。 He strode to the woman's side： there was but one lily
left。 He laid his hand on her shoulder； for speech was still far from him：
and she fell back from the one remaining blossom with a cry of fear … and
Prior Stephen awoke； for behold！ it was a dream； but he was sore troubled。
〃Maybe；〃 said he； 〃evil threatens the lad； such evil as slew his mother；
on whom God have mercy！〃 And sighing heavily he took his way to the
great Rood and made supplication for his son。
Far away； under a southern sky； in one of the great palaces of
64
… Page 65…
THE GATHERING OF BROTHER HILARIUS
Florence； there stood a woman of fair stature； with tight…clenched hands；
whose many jewels bit the tender flesh。 Her russet eyes flashed under
threatening brows； her teeth held fast the curling upper lip。 Great； alack！
was her fame： men crept to her knee like spaniels craving favour。
Great was her wealth： a golden piece for every ruddy strand that hung a
shimmering mantle to her knee。 Her beauty … nay； men had slain
themselves gladly to escape the torment of her look。 She stood in the
curtained doorway； a heavy purple hanging at her back； and the man who
awaited her paled as he saw her vengeful face。
It was Hilarius。 He drew himself up to the full of his slender height；
and bowed。
Panting a little； the woman came towards him across the many…hued
marble floors； and； as she passed； a vase of great white lilies caught in her
draperies of cramoisie and fell。 She gave no heed； but swept on； and
faced him in the sunny silence。 Across the pause the Angelus sounded
from a church hard by： Hilarius crossed himself devoutly； and the
stillness fled before a woman's scornful laugh。
〃Nay； then； Signor；〃 she cried mockingly； 〃is ours to be a war of signs
and silence？ I have heard thy lips were ready enough with judgment；
though they halt at a love…phrase。 By Our Lady； if all that is said of thee
be true； I will e'en have thee whipped at the gibbet for thy gibes！ Speak；
fool； while thy tongue is left thee； 'tis a last asking。 Wilt thou paint this
face of mine that is； it seems； so little to thy liking？ Strain not my
patience over much … 'tis a slender cord at best； and somewhat tried
already。 Speak； is it yea or nay？〃
Hilarius looked away to where Mary's flowers lay bruised and
scattered on the flag of blood…red marble； his answer came low and clear：…
〃'It is nay。'〃
She thrust her head forward； and looked at him wondering； there was a
stain where her teeth had been busy。
〃'It is nay；'〃 she repeated after him； and her eyes mocked him。 〃May a
poor Princess ask the Signor's reason？〃
Hilarius pointed past her to the fallen lilies。
〃It lies there。〃
65
… Page 66…
THE GATHERING OF BROTHER HILARIUS
For an instant the hot colour splashed the angry whiteness of her cheek；
then； pale to the lips； she turned on him； and she stammered in her wrath：…
〃And dost thou … dost thou dare； say this to my face … to me； who
stooped to ask when I had but to command？ I； with my unmatched
beauty； I； who hold the hearts of men in thrall to the lifting of my eyes； I；
to whom men kneel as to their God！ Art thou mad； mad； that thou canst
set aside such a behest as mine？ 'Tis small wonder men say thy doublet
hides a monkish dress； of a truth the tale they brought savoured of little
else。 Hear me； thou prating； milk…faced Modesty； I choose that thou shalt
limn this face of mine： say me nay； and I will teach thee a lesson hard of
forgetting； for I will silence thy preaching for aye； and lend my serving…
men to whip thee through the streets。 Men； said I？ Nay； thou art too
much a cur to make fit sport for men： rather my maids shall wield the
rod and lace thy shoulders。〃
She flung herself on a low couch by the open window； where the
peacocks on the terrace strutted in the sun； and Hilarius waited； dumb as
the dog to which she had likened him； for he had no word。
There was silence a while。
Then the Princess spoke； and her voice cut Hilarius like the sting of a
lash：…
〃Bring me yon flowers。〃
He obeyed。
〃Set them at my feet。〃
He bent his knee and did so； wondering。
A moment； and she trod them under； their dying fragrance filled the air；
as their living breath had flooded the senses of the blind… eyed lad at the
Monastery gate。
One by one she set her heel upon the blossoms； and the marble was
yellow with stolen gold。
Hilarius held his breath； it was as if she did to death some living thing；
and yet he dared not bid her stay her insolent feet。
It was done； and she looked at him under questioning brows。
〃So much for thy lilies！ Dost still think that it will soil thy brush to
limn such an one as I？ I； whom men call the Queen of Love … but thy lips；
66
… Page 67…
THE GATHERING OF BROTHER HILARIUS
say they； burnt with another name！ Bethink thee； faint heart； there is not
a man in all this city but would count death a small price to pay for my
favours； and I ask of thee one little service； and thou shalt name thine own
reward。 Surely 'tis churlish to gainsay！〃
Her voice was suddenly sweet。
Stooping； she gathered to her the destruction she had wrought；
fingering the fallen p