第 20 节
作者:点绛唇      更新:2021-02-21 15:06      字数:9322
  proceed in thy cursed purpose  of a divorce; until her sentence be known; and here I lance her  anathema at thy head。〃
  〃Audacious rebel!〃 said Manfred; endeavouring to conceal the awe with  which the Friar's words inspired him。  〃Dost thou presume to threaten  thy lawful Prince?〃
  〃Thou art no lawful Prince;〃 said Jerome; 〃thou art no Prince … go;  discuss thy claim with Frederic; and when that is done … 〃
  〃It is done;〃 replied Manfred; 〃Frederic accepts Matilda's hand; and  is content to waive his claim; unless I have no male issue〃 … as he  spoke those words three drops of blood fell from the nose of Alfonso's  statue。  Manfred turned pale; and the Princess sank on her knees。
  〃Behold!〃 said the Friar; 〃mark this miraculous indication that the  blood of Alfonso will never mix with that of Manfred!〃
  〃My gracious Lord;〃 said Hippolita; 〃let us submit ourselves to  heaven。  Think not thy ever obedient wife rebels against thy  authority。  I have no will but that of my Lord and the Church。  To  that revered tribunal let us appeal。  It does not depend on us to  burst the bonds that unite us。  If the Church shall approve the  dissolution of our marriage; be it so … I have but few years; and  those of sorrow; to pass。  Where can they be worn away so well as at  the foot of this altar; in prayers for thine and Matilda's safety?〃
  〃But thou shalt not remain here until then;〃 said Manfred。  〃Repair  with me to the castle; and there I will advise on the proper measures  for a divorce; … but this meddling Friar comes not thither; my  hospitable roof shall never more harbour a traitor … and for thy  Reverence's off…spring;〃 continued he; 〃I banish him from my  dominions。  He; I ween; is no sacred personage; nor under the  protection of the Church。  Whoever weds Isabella; it shall not be  Father Falconara's started…up son。〃
  〃They start up;〃 said the Friar; 〃who are suddenly beheld in the seat  of lawful Princes; but they wither away like the grass; and their  place knows them no more。〃
  Manfred; casting a look of scorn at the Friar; led Hippolita forth;  but at the door of the church whispered one of his attendants to  remain concealed about the convent; and bring him instant notice; if  any one from the castle should repair thither。
  CHAPTER V。
  EVERY reflection which Manfred made on the Friar's behaviour;  conspired to persuade him that Jerome was privy to an amour between  Isabella and Theodore。  But Jerome's new presumption; so dissonant  from his former meekness; suggested still deeper apprehensions。  The  Prince even suspected that the Friar depended on some secret support  from Frederic; whose arrival; coinciding with the novel appearance of  Theodore; seemed to bespeak a correspondence。  Still more was he  troubled with the resemblance of Theodore to Alfonso's portrait。  The  latter he knew had unquestionably died without issue。  Frederic had  consented to bestow Isabella on him。  These contradictions agitated  his mind with numberless pangs。
  He saw but two methods of extricating himself from his difficulties。   The one was to resign his dominions to the Marquis … pride; ambition;  and his reliance on ancient prophecies; which had pointed out a  possibility of his preserving them to his posterity; combated that  thought。  The other was to press his marriage with Isabella。  After  long ruminating on these anxious thoughts; as he marched silently with  Hippolita to the castle; he at last discoursed with that Princess on  the subject of his disquiet; and used every insinuating and plausible  argument to extract her consent to; even her promise of promoting the  divorce。  Hippolita needed little persuasions to bend her to his  pleasure。  She endeavoured to win him over to the measure of resigning  his dominions; but finding her exhortations fruitless; she assured  him; that as far as her conscience would allow; she would raise no  opposition to a separation; though without better founded scruples  than what he yet alleged; she would not engage to be active in  demanding it。
  This compliance; though inadequate; was sufficient to raise Manfred's  hopes。  He trusted that his power and wealth would easily advance his  suit at the court of Rome; whither he resolved to engage Frederic to  take a journey on purpose。  That Prince had discovered so much passion  for Matilda; that Manfred hoped to obtain all he wished by holding out  or withdrawing his daughter's charms; according as the Marquis should  appear more or less disposed to co…operate in his views。  Even the  absence of Frederic would be a material point gained; until he could  take further measures for his security。
  Dismissing Hippolita to her apartment; he repaired to that of the  Marquis; but crossing the great hall through which he was to pass he  met Bianca。  The damsel he knew was in the confidence of both the  young ladies。  It immediately occurred to him to sift her on the  subject of Isabella and Theodore。  Calling her aside into the recess  of the oriel window of the hall; and soothing her with many fair words  and promises; he demanded of her whether she knew aught of the state  of Isabella's affections。
  〃I! my Lord! no my Lord … yes my Lord … poor Lady! she is wonderfully  alarmed about her father's wounds; but I tell her he will do well;  don't your Highness think so?〃
  〃I do not ask you;〃 replied Manfred; 〃what she thinks about her  father; but you are in her secrets。  Come; be a good girl and tell me;  is there any young man … ha! … you understand me。〃
  〃Lord bless me! understand your Highness? no; not I。  I told her a few  vulnerary herbs and repose … 〃
  〃I am not talking;〃 replied the Prince; impatiently; 〃about her  father; I know he will do well。〃
  〃Bless me; I rejoice to hear your Highness say so; for though I  thought it not right to let my young Lady despond; methought his  greatness had a wan look; and a something … I remember when young  Ferdinand was wounded by the Venetian … 〃
  〃Thou answerest from the point;〃 interrupted Manfred; 〃but here; take  this jewel; perhaps that may fix thy attention … nay; no reverences;  my favour shall not stop here … come; tell me truly; how stands  Isabella's heart?〃
  〃Well! your Highness has such a way!〃 said Bianca; 〃to be sure … but  can your Highness keep a secret? if it should ever come out of your  lips … 〃
  〃It shall not; it shall not;〃 cried Manfred。
  〃Nay; but swear; your Highness。〃
  〃By my halidame; if it should ever be known that I said it … 〃
  〃Why; truth is truth; I do not think my Lady Isabella ever much  affectioned my young Lord your son; yet he was a sweet youth as one  should see; I am sure; if I had been a Princess … but bless me!  I  must attend my Lady Matilda; she will marvel what is become of me。〃
  〃Stay;〃 cried Manfred; 〃thou hast not satisfied my question。  Hast  thou ever carried any message; any letter?〃
  〃I! good gracious!〃 cried Bianca; 〃I carry a letter?  I would not to  be a Queen。  I hope your Highness thinks; though I am poor; I am  honest。  Did your Highness never hear what Count Marsigli offered me;  when he came a wooing to my Lady Matilda?〃
  〃I have not leisure;〃 said Manfred; 〃to listen to thy tale。  I do not  question thy honesty。  But it is thy duty to conceal nothing from me。   How long has Isabella been acquainted with Theodore?〃
  〃Nay; there is nothing can escape your Highness!〃 said Bianca; 〃not  that I know any thing of the matter。  Theodore; to be sure; is a  proper young man; and; as my Lady Matilda says; the very image of good  Alfonso。  Has not your Highness remarked it?〃
  〃Yes; yes; … No … thou torturest me;〃 said Manfred。  〃Where did they  meet? when?〃
  〃Who! my Lady Matilda?〃 said Bianca。
  〃No; no; not Matilda:  Isabella; when did Isabella first become  acquainted with this Theodore!〃
  〃Virgin Mary!〃 said Bianca; 〃how should I know?〃
  〃Thou dost know;〃 said Manfred; 〃and I must know; I will … 〃
  〃Lord! your Highness is not jealous of young Theodore!〃 said Bianca。
  〃Jealous! no; no。  Why should I be jealous? perhaps I mean to unite  them … If I were sure Isabella would have no repugnance。〃
  〃Repugnance! no; I'll warrant her;〃 said Bianca; 〃he is as comely a  youth as ever trod on Christian ground。  We are all in love with him;  there is not a soul in the castle but would be rejoiced to have him  for our Prince … I mean; when it shall please heaven to call your  Highness to itself。〃
  〃Indeed!〃 said Manfred; 〃has it gone so far! oh! this cursed Friar! …  but I must not lose time … go; Bianca; attend Isabella; but I charge  thee; not a word of what has passed。  Find out how she is affected  towards Theodore; bring me good news; and that ring has a companion。   Wait at the foot of the winding staircase:  I am going to visit the  Marquis; and will talk further with thee at my return。〃
  Manfred; after some general conversation; desired Frederic to dismiss  the two Knights; his companions; having to talk with him on urgent  affairs。
  As soon as they were alone; he began in artful guise to sound the  Marquis on the subject of Matilda; and finding him disposed to his  wish; he let drop hints on the difficulties that would attend the  celebration of their marriage; unless … At that instant Bianca burst  in