I I 'I ^!'l''«.-. 'li'l TO HY ANCIENT PLAYHATES IN APPIAN WAY CAHBRIDQE THIS LIKELY STORY IS DEDICATED FOR REASONS BEST KNOWN TO THEHSELVES ^ M6ilSo Prcf: ace When Betsinda held the Rose And the Ring decked Giglio's finger, Thackeray ! 'twas sport to linger With thy wise, gay-hearted prose. Books were merry, goodness knows ! When Betsinda held the Rose. Who but foggy drudglings doze While Rob Gilpin toasts thy witches, While the Ghost waylays thy breeches, Ingoldsby? Such tales as those Exorcised our peevish woes When Betsinda held the Rose. Realism, thou specious pose ! Haply it is good we met thee ; But, passed by, we'll scarce regret thee; For we love the light that glows Where Queen Fancy's pageant goes. And Betsinda holds the Rose. Shall we dare it? Then let's close Doors to-night on things statistic, Seek the hearth in circle tnystic, Till the conjured fire-hght shows Where Youth's bubbling Fountain flows, And Betsinda holds the Rose. CHAPTER I. How Sir Godfrey came to lose his Temper PAGE 17 CHAPTER II. How his Daughter, Miss Elaine, behaved herself in Consequence 29 CHAPTER III. Reveals the Dragon in his Den 43 CHAPTER IV. Tells you more about Him than was ever told before to Anybody 51 CHAPTER V. In which the Hero makes his First Appearance and is Locked Up immediately 61 CHAPTER VI. In which Miss Elaine loses her Heart, and finds Something of the Greatest Importance . . . . . . . . . . . -71 / 9 lO TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. PAGE Shows what Curious Things you may see, if you don't go to Bed when you are sent .............. 87 CHAPTER VIII. Contains a Dilemma with two simply egregious Horns ..... 103 CHAPTER IX. Leaves much Room for guessing about Chapter Ten . . . . -123 CHAPTER X. The great White Christmas at Wantley . 137 Frontispiece .... Ornamented title .... Copyright ?iotice .... Headpiece — Preface .... Headpiece — Table of Contents Headpiece — List of Illustrations Half-title to Chapter I. . Headpiece to Chapter I. . . . Pophain awaiteth the Result with Dignity The Baron pursueth Wlielpdale into the Buttery Tailpiece to Chapter I. . Half title to Chapter II. . Head-piece to Chapter II Sir Godfrey 7naketh him ready for the Bath . Sir Godfrey getteth into his Bath . Mistletoe consulteth the Cooking Book Elaine maketh an unexpected Remark Page I 3 4 7 9 II 15 17 21 24 25 27 29 31 33 35 39 12 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page Tail-piece to Chapter II. ....... 40 Half-title to Chapter III ....... 41 Head-piece to Chapter III. . . . . . . . 4j Hubert sweepeth the Steps ....... 4^ Tail-piece to Chapter III . . . . . . .48 Half-title to Chapter IV. ....... 4g Head-piece to Chapter IV. ....... ji Hubert lookcth out of the Windotv ...... ^§ Tail-piece to Chapter IV. ....... ^8 Half-title to Chapter V. ...... jp Head-piece to Chapter V. ....... 61 Geoffrey rep lie th with deplorable Flippancy to Father Anselm . . 66 Tail-piece to Chapter V. . . . . . . . .68 Half-title to Chapter VI. ....... 6g Head-piece to Chapter VI . . . . . . . yi The Baron setteth forth his Flan for circumventing the Dragon . . 7^ Geoffrey tuggeth at the Bars . . . . . . -79 Tail-piece to Chapter VI. ....... 8j Half-title to Chapter VII. ....... 8j Head-piece to Chapter VII. ....... 8j Elaine cometh into the Cellar . . . . . . .01 Geoffrey goeth to meet the Dragon ...... g6 Tail-piece to Chapter VII . . . . . . .00 Half-title to Chapter VIII. ....... 101 Head-piece to Chapter VIII. ....... loj The Dragon thitiketh to slake his Thirst ..... 106 The Dragon perceiveth Himself to be Entrapped .... no A Noise in the Cellar . , t .... //j LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. I3 Page Tail-piece to Chapter VIII. . . . . . . .120 Half-title to Chapter /X ...... • 121 Head-piece to Chapter /X ...... • 123 Sir Francis decidetli to go down again ..... 128 Brother Hubert goeth back to Oyster-le-Main for the last Time . . 131 Tailpiece to Chapter /.Y. ...... • I33 Half title to Chapter X. . . . . . • . • IJS Head-piece to Chapter X. . . . . . • • IJ7 Sir Thomas de Brie hastens to accept the Baron's polite Invitation . . 140 The Court-yard .....••■ I43 The Dragon maketh his last Appearance .... 147 HEnvoi ....... ^ ■ 149 ^ frey camcto^ (c his Temper- HERE was something wrong in the cellar at Wantley Manor. Little Whelpdale knew it, for he was Buttons, and Buttons always knows what is beine done with the wine, though he may look as if he did not. And old Popham knew it, too. He was Butler, and responsible to Sir Godfrey for all the brandy, and ale, and cider, and mead, and canary, and other strong waters there were in the house. Now, Sir Godfrey Disseisin, fourth Baron of Wantley, and immediate tenant by knight-service to His Majesty King John of England, was particular about his dogs, and particular about his horses, and about his only daughter and his boy Roland, and had been very particular indeed about his wife, who, I am sorry to say, did not live long. But all this was nothing to the fuss he made about his wine. When the claret was not warm enough, or the Moselle wine was not cool enough, you could hear him roaring all over the house ; for, though generous in heart and a staunch Churchman, he was immoderately choleric. Very often, when Sir Godfrey fell into one of his rages at dinner, old Popham, standing behind his chair, trembled so violently that his calves would shake loose, thus obliging him to hasten behind the tall leathern screen at the head of the banquet-hall and readjust them. Twice in each year the Baron sailed over to France, where he visited the wine-merchants, and tasted samples of all new vintages, — though they frequently gave him unmentionable aches. Then, ;i^'', THE DRAGON OF IVANTLEY. wiie^ni 'he lyas satisfied that he had selected the soundest and rich- est, he returned to Wantley Manor, bringing home wooden casks that were as big as hay-stacks, and so full they could not gurgle when you tipped them. Upon arriving, he sent for Mrs. Mistletoe, the family governess and (for economy's sake) housekeeper, who knew how to write — something the Baron's father and mother had never taught him when he was a little boy, because they didn't know how themselves, and despised people who did, — and when Mrs. Mistletoe had cut neat pieces of card-board for labels and got ready her goose-quill, Sir Godfrey would say, " Write, Chateau Lafitte, 1 187;" or, "Write, Chambertin, 1203." (Those, you know, were the names and dates of the vintages.) " Yes, my lord," Mistletoe always piped up ; on which Sir Godfrey would peer over her shoulder at the writing, and mutter, " Hum ; yes, that's correct," just as if he knew how to read, the old humbug ! Then Mistletoe, who was a silly girl and had lost her husband early, would go "Tee-hee, Sir Godfrey!" as the gallant gentleman gave her a kiss. Of course, this was not just what he should have done ; but he was a widower, you must remember, and besides that, as the years went on this little ceremony ceased to be kept up. When it was "Chateau Lafitte, 11 87," kissing Mistletoe was one thing; but when it came to "Chambertin, 1203," the lady weighed two hundred and twenty-five pounds, and wore a wig. But, wig and all. Mistletoe had a high position in Wantley Manor. The household was conducted on strictly feudal principles. Nobody, except the members of the family, received higher con- sideration than did the old Governess. She and the Chaplain were on a level, socially, and they sat at the same table with the Baron. That drew the line. Old Popham the Butler might tell little Whelpdale as often as he pleased that he was just as good as Mistletoe ; but he had to pour out Mistletoe's wine for her, notwith- standing. If she scolded him, (which she always did if Sir Godfrey THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 1 9 had been scolding her,) do you suppose he dared to answer back ? Gracious, no ! He merely kicked die two head-footmen, iMeeson and Welsby, and spoke severely to the nine housemaids, Meeson and Welsby then made life a painful thing for the five under-foot- men and the erooms, while the nine housemaids boxed the ears of Whelpdale the Buttons, and Whelpdale the Buttons punched the scullion's eye. As for the scullion, he was bottom of the list ; but he could always relieve his feelings by secretly pulling the tails of Sir Godfrey's two tame ravens, whose names were Croak James and Croak Elizabeth. I never knew what these birds did at that; but something, you may be sure. So you see that I was right when I said the household was conducted on strictly feudal prin- ciples. The Cook had a special jurisdiction of her own, and every- body was more or less afraid of her. Whenever Sir Godfrey had come home with new wine, and after the labels had been pasted on the casks, then Popham, with Whelpdale beside him, had these carefully set down in the cellar, which was a vast dim room, the ceilings supported by heavy arches ; the barrels, bins, kegs, hogsheads, tuns, and demijohns of every size and shape standing like forests and piled to the ceiling. And now something was wrong there. "This 'ere's a hawful succumstence, sir," observed Whelpdale the Buttons to his superior, respectfully. " It is, indeed, a himbroglio," replied Popham, who had a wide command of words, and knew it. Neither domesdc spoke again for some time. They were seated in the buttery. The Butler crossed his right leg over his left, and waved the suspended foot up and down. — something he seldom did unless very grievously perturbed, As for poor litde Whelpdale, he mopped his brow with the napkins that were in a basket waiting for the wash. Then the bell rang. 20 THE DRAGON OF IVANTLEY. " His ludship's study-bell," said Popham. " Don't keep him waiting." "Hadn't you better apprise his ludship of the facks?" asked Whelpdale, in a weak voice. Popham made no reply. He arose and briefly kicked Buttons out of the buttery. Then he mounted a chair to listen better. " He has hentered his ludship's apawtment," he remarked, hearing the sound of voices come faintly down the little private staircase that led from Sir Godfrey's study to the buttery : the Baron was in the habit of coming down at night for crackers and cheese before he went to bed. Presently one voice grew much louder than the other. It questioned. There came a sort of whining in answer. Then came a terrific stamp on the ceiling and a loud " Go on, sir!" " Now, now, now !" thought Popham. Do you want to hear at once, without waiting any longer, what little Whelpdale is telling Sir Godfrey? Well, you must know that for the past thirteen years, ever since 1190, the neighbourhood had been scourged by a terrible Dragon. The monster was covered with scales, and had a long tail and huge unnatural wings, beside fearful jaws that poured out smoke and flame whenever they opened. He always came at dead of night, roaring, bellowing, and sparkling and flaming over the hills, and horrid claps of thunder were very likely to attend his progress. Concerning the nature and quality of his roaring, the honest copyholders of Wantley could never agree, although every human being had heard him hundreds of times. Some said it was like a mad bull, only much louder and worse. Old Gaffer Piers the ploughman swore that if his tomcat weighed a thousand pounds it would make a noise almost as bad as that on summer nights, with the moon at the full and other cats handy. But farmer Stiles said, " Nay, 'tis like none of your bulls nor cats. But when I have come home too THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 21 near the next morning, my wife can make me think of this Dragon as soon as ever her mouth be open." This shows you that there were divers opinions. If you were not afraid to look out of the window about midnight, you could see the sky begin to look red in the quarter from which he was approaching, just as it glares when some distant house is on fire. But you must shut the window and hide before he came over the hill ; for very few that had looked upon the Dragon ever lived to that day twelvemonth. This monster devoured the substance of the tenantry and yeomen. When their fields of grain were golden for the harvest, in a single night he cut them down and left their acres blasted by his deadly fire. He ate the cows, the sheep, the poultry, and at times even sucked eggs. Many pious saints had visited the district, but not one had been able by his virtue to expel the Dragon ; and the farmers and country folk used to repeat a legend that said the Dragon was a punish- ment for the great wickedness of the Baron's ancestor, Jpopham amaiicfh f)ic RcfuR u-tiili Dtgriiiyc/j^ 2 2 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. the original Sir Godfrey Disseisin, who, when summoned on the first Crusade to Palestine, had entirely refused to go and help his cousin Godfrey de Bouillon wrest the Holy Sepulchre from the Paynim. The Baron's ancestor, when a stout young lad, had come over with William the Conqueror ; and you must know that to have an ancestor who had come over with William the Conqueror was in those old days a much rarer thing than it is now, and any one who could boast of it was held in high esteem by his neigh- bours, who asked him to dinner and left their cards upon him continually. But the first Sir Godfrey thought one conquest was enough for any man ; and in reply to his cousin's invitation to try a second, answered in his blunt Norman French, " Nul tiel verte dedans ceot oyle," which displeased the Church, and ended forever all relations between the families. The Dragon did not come at once, for this gentleman's son, the grandfather of our Sir Godfrey, as soon as he was twenty-one, went off to the Holy Land himself, fought very valiantly, and was killed, leaving behind him at Want- ley an inconsolable little wife and an heir six months old. This somewhat appeased the Pope ; but the present Sir Godfrey, when asked to accompany King Richard Lion Heart on his campaign against the Infidel, did not avail himself of the opportunity to set the family right in the matter of Crusades. This hereditary impiety, which the Pope did not consider at all mended by the Baron's most regular attendance at the parish church on all Sun- days, feast days, fast days, high days, low days, saints' days, vigils. and octaves, nor by his paying his tithes punctually to Father Anselm, Abbot of Oyster-le-Main (a wonderful person, of whom I shall have a great deal to tell you presently), this impiety, I say, finished the good standing of the House of Wantley. Rome frowned, the earth trembled, and the Dragon came. And (the legend went on to say) this curse would not be removed until a female lineal descendant of the first Sir Godfrey, a young lady THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 23 who had never been married, and had never loved anybody except her fadier and mother and her sisters and brothers, should go out in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve, all by herself, and encounter the Dragon single handed. Now, of course, this is not what little Whelpdale is trying to tell the Baron up in the study ; for everybody in Wantley knew all about the legend except one person, and that was Miss Elaine, Sir Godfrey's only daughter, eighteen years old at the last Court of Piepoudre, when her father (after paying all the farmers for all the cows and sheep they told him had been eaten by the Dragon since the last Court) had made his customary proclamation, to wit: his good-will and protection to all his tenantry ; and if any man, woman, child, or other person, caused his daughter. Miss Elaine, to hear anything about the legend, such tale-bearer should be chained to a tree, and kept fat until the Dragon found him and ate him. So ever}'body obligingly kept the Baron's secret. Sir Godfrey is just this day returned from France with some famous tuns of wine, and presents for Elaine and Mrs. Mistletoe. His humour is (or was, till Whelpdale, poor wretch ! answered the bell) of the best possible. And now, this moment, he is being told by the luckless Buttons that the Dragon of Wantley has taken to drinking, as well as eating, what does not belong to him ; has for the last three nights burst the big gates of the wine-cellar that open on the hillside the Manor stands upon ; that a hogshead of the Baron's best Burgundy is going ; and that two hogsheads of his choicest Malvoisie are gone ! One hundred and twenty-eight gallons in three nights' work ! But I suppose a fire-breathing Dragon must be very thirsty. There was a dead silence in the study overhead, and old Pop- ham's calves were shaking loose as he waited. "And so you stood by and let this black, sneaking, prowling, thieving," (here the Baron used some shocking expressions which I 24 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. -ar-^-S. (i)hc Baron purfucfh Whelpdale into the Butte|>^ shall not set down) "Dragon swill my wine ?" "St — st — stood by, your ludship?" said litde Whelp- dale. "No, sir; no one didn't do any standing by, sir. He roared that terrible, sir, we was all under the bed." " Now, by my coat of mail and great right leg!" shouted Sir Godfrey. The quaking Popham heard no more. The door of the pri- vate staircase flew open with a loud noise, and down came little Whelpdale head over heels into the buttery. After him strode Sir Godfrey in full mail armour, clashing his steel fists against the banisters. The nose-piece of his helmet was pushed up to allow him to speak plainly, — and most plainly did he speak, I can assure you, all the way down stairs, keeping his right eye glaring upon Popham in one corner of the buttery, and at the same time petrifying Whelpdale with his left. From father to son, the Disseisins had always been famous for the manner in which they could straddle their eyes ; and in Sir Godfrey the family trait was very strongly marked. Arrived at the bottom, he stopped for a moment to throw a THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 25 ham through the stained-glass window, and then made straight for Popham. But the head Butler was an old family servant, and had learned to know his place. With surprising agility he hopped on a table, so that Sir Godfrey's foot flew past its destined goal and caught a shelf that was loaded with a good deal of his wedding china. The Baron was far too dignified a person to take any notice of this mishap, and he simply strode on, out of the buttery, and so through the halls of the Manor, where all who caught even the most distant sight of his coming, promptly withdrew into the privacy of their apartments. HAPTERIlJ <[ How h is D a u g hte r, Mifs Blaine, behaued in Confequenccc^o HE Baron walked on, his rage mounting as he went, till presently he began talking aloud to himself. " Mort d'aieul and Cosenaofe !" he muttered, grinding his teeth over these oaths ; " matters have come to a pretty pass, per my and per tout ! And this is what my wine- bibbing ancestor has brought on his posterity by his omission to fight for the True Faith !" Sir Godfrey knew the outrageous injustice of this remark as well as you or I do ; and so did the portrait of his ancestor, w^hich he happened to be passing under, for the red nose in the tapes- try turned a deeper ruby in scornful anger. But, luckily for the nerves of its descendant, the moths had eaten its mouth away so entirely, that the retort it attempted to make sounded only like a faint hiss, which the Baron mistook for a little gust of wind behind the arras. "My ruddy Burgundy!" he groaned, "going, going! and my rich, fruity Malvoisie, — all gone ! Father Anselm didn't appreciate it, either, that night he dined here last September. He said I had put egg-shells in it. Egg-shells ! Pooh ! As if any parson could talk about wine. These Church folk had better mind their busi- ness, and say grace, and eat their dinner, and be thankful. That's what I say. Egg-shells, forsooth!" The Baron was passing through 29 30 THE DRAGON OF WANT LEY. the chapel, and he mechanically removed his helmet ; but he did not catch sight of the glittering eye of Father Anselm himself, who had stepped quickly into the confessional, and there in the dark watched Sir Godfrey with a strange, mocking smile. When he had the chapel to himself again, the tall gray figure of the Abbot appeared in full view, and craftily moved across the place. If you had been close beside him, and had listened hard, you could have heard a faint clank and jingle beneath his gown as he moved, which would have struck you as not the sort of noise a hair-shirt ought to make. But I am glad you were not there ; for I do not like the way the Abbot looked at all, especially so near Christmas-tide, when almost every one somehow looks kinder as he goes about in the world. Father Anselm moved out of the chapel, and passed through lonely corridors out of Wantley Manor, out of the court-yard, and so took his way to Oyster-le-Main in the gathering dusk. The few people who met him received his blessing, and asked no questions ; for they were all serfs of the glebe, and well used to meeting the Abbot going and coming near Wantley Manor. Meanwhile, Sir Godfrey paced along. "To think," he condnued, aloud, " to think the country could be rid of this monster, this guz- zling serpent, in a few clays ! Plenty would reign again. Public peace of mind would be restored. The cattle would increase, the crops would grow, my rents treble, and my wines be drunk no more by a miserable, ignorant — but, no ! I'm her father. Elaine shall never be permitted to sacrifice herself for one dragon, or twenty dragons, either." "Why, what's the matter, papa?" Sir Godfrey started. There was Miss Elaine in front of him ; and she had put on one of the new French gowns he had brought over with him. "Matter? Plenty of matter!" he began, unluckily. "At least, THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 31 nothing is the matter at all, my dear. What a question ! Am I not back all safe from the sea? Nothing is the matter, of course! Hasn't your old father been away from you two whole months? And weren't those pretty dresses he has carried back with him for his little girl? And isn't the wine — Zounds, no, the wine isn't — at least, certainly it is — to be sure it's what it ought to be — zvliat it oueht to be ? Yes ! But, Mort d'aieul ! not where it ought to be ! Hum ! hum ! I think I am going mad !" And Sir Godfrey, forgetting he held the helmet all this while, dashed his hands to his head with such violence that the steel edge struck hard above the ear, and in one minute had raised a lump there as large as the ^^g of a fowl. •'Poor, poor papa," said Miss Elaine. And she ran and fetched some cold water, and, dipping her dainty lace handkerchief into it, she bathed the Baron's head. "Thank you, my child," he murmured, presendy. "Of course, nothing is the matter. They were very slow in putting the new" (here he gave a gulp) " casks of wine into the cellar ; that's all. 'Twill soon be dinner-time. I must make me ready." And so say- ing, the Baron kissed h i s daughter and strode away towards his dressing- room. But she heard him shout "Mort d'aieul!" 1^ ready i^v 32 THE DRAGON OF WANT LEY. more than once before he was out of hearing. Then his dressing- room door shut with a bang, and sent echoes all along the entries above and below. The December night was coming down, and a little twinkling lamp hung at the end of the passage. Towards this Miss Elaine musingly turned her steps, still squeezing her now nearly dry handkerchief. "What did he mean?" she said to herself. " Elaine !" shouted Sir Godfrey, away off round a corner. "Yes, papa, I'm coming." " Don't come. I'm going to the bath. A — did you hear me say anything particular ?" " Do you mean when I met you ?" answered Elaine. " Yes — no — that is, — not exactly, papa." " Then don't dare to ask me any questions, for I won't have it." And another door slammed. " What did papa mean ?" said Miss Elaine, once more. Her bright brown eyes were looking at the floor as she walked slowly on towards the light, and her lips, which had been a little open so that you could have seen what dainty teeth she had, shut quite close. In fact, she was thinking, which was something you could seldom accuse her of. I do not know exactly what her thoughts were, except that the words "dragon" and "sacrifice" kept bumping against each other in them continually ; and when- ever they bumped, Miss Elaine frowned a little deeper, till she really looked almost solemn. In this way she came under the hanging lamp and entered the door in front of which it shone. This was the ladies' library, full of the most touching romances about Roland, and Walter of Aquitaine, and Sir Tristram, and a great number of other excitable young fellows, whose behaviour had invariably got them into dreadful difficulties, but had as invari- ably made them, in the eyes of every damsel they saw, the most THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. ZZ jSIR- qQDFREy-gettefKMn.o to. hvs oBaft. attractive, fascinating, sweet, dear creatures in the world. Nobody ever read any of these books except Mrs. Mistletoe and the family Chaplain. These two were, indeed, the only people in the house- hold that knew how to read, — which may account for it in some measure. It was here that Miss Elaine came in while she was thinking so hard, and found old Mistletoe huddled to the fire. She had been secretly reading the first chapters of a new and pungent French romance, called "Roger and Angelica," that was being published in a Paris and a London magazine simultaneously. Only thus could the talented French author secure payment for his books in England ; for King John, who had recently murdered his little nephew Arthur, had now turned his attention to obstructing 3 34 ^^^ DRAGON OF WANTLEY. all arrangements for an international copyright. In many respects, this monarch was no credit to his family. When the Governess heard Miss Elaine open the door behind her, she thought it was the family Chaplain, and, quickly throwing the shocking story on the floor, she opened the household cookery- book. — an enormous volume many feet square, suspended from the ceiling by strong chains, and containing several thousand receipts for English, French, Italian, Croatian, Dalmatian, and Acarnanian dishes, beginning with a poem in blank verse written to his confec- tioner by the Emperor Charles the Fat. German cooking was omitted. " I'm looking up a new plum-pudding for Christmas," said Mistletoe, nervously, keeping her virtuous eyes on the volume. '• Ah, indeed !" Miss Elaine answered, indifferently. She was thinking harder than ever — was, in fact, inventing a litde plan. " Oh, so it's you, deary !" cried the Governess, much relieved. She had feared the Chaplain might pick up the guilty magazine and find its pages cut only at the place where the French story was. And I am grieved to have to tell you that this is just what he did do later in the evening, and sat down in his private room and read about Roger and Angelica himself. " Here's a good one," said Misdetoe. " Number 39, in the Appendix to Part Fourth. Chop two pounds of leeks and " " But I may not be here to taste it," said Elaine. "Bless the child!" said Misdetoe. "And where else would you be on Christmas-day but in your own house?" " Perhaps far away. Who knows ?" "You haven't gone and seen a young man and told him " "A young man, indeed!" said Elaine, with a toss of her head. " There's not a young man in England I would tell anything save to go about his business." Miss Elaine had never seen any young men except when they ^^..:tf1^» 1 ' ^3^.^ '\ THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 2)1 came to dine on Sir Godfrey's invitation ; and his manner on those occasions so awed them that they always sat on the edge of their chairs, and said, " No, thank you," when the Baron said, " Have some more capon?" Then the Baron would snort, "Nonsense! Popham, bring me Master Percival's plate," upon which Master Percival invariably simpered, and said that really he did believe he would take another slice. After these dinners, Miss Elaine retired to her own part of the house ; and that was all she ever saw of young men, whom she very naturally deemed a class to be despised as silly and wholly lacking in self-assertion. "Then where in the name of good saints are you going to be ?" Mistletoe went on. " Why," said Elaine, slowly (and here she looked very slyly at the old Governess, and then quickly appeared to be considering the lace on her dress), "why, of course, papa would not permit me to sacrifice myself for one dragon or twenty dragons." "What!" screamed Mistletoe, all in a flurry (for she was a fool). "What?" "Of course, I know papa would say that," said Miss Elaine, demure as . possible. "Oh, mercy me!" squeaked Misdetoe ; "we are undone!" "To be sure, I might agree with papa," said the artful thing, knowing well enough she was on the right track. " Oo — oo !" went the Governess, burying her nose in the house- hold cookery-book and rocking from side to side. " But then I might not agree with papa, you know. I might think, — might think " Miss Elaine stopped at what she might think, for really she hadn't the slightest idea what to say next. "You have no right to think, — no right at all!" burst out Mis- tletoe. "And you sha'n't be allowed to think. I'll tell Sir Godfrey at once, and he'll forbid you. Oh, dear! oh, dear! just before Christmas Eve, too ! The only night in the year ! She has no 38 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. time to change her mind ; and she'll be eaten up if she goes, I know she will. What villain told you of this, child? Let me know, and he shall be punished at once." " I shall not tell you that," said Elaine. "Then everybody will be suspected," moaned Mistletoe. "Every- body. The whole household. And we shall all be thrown to the Dragon. Oh, dear ! was there ever such a state of things ?" The Governess betook herself to weeping and wringing her hands, and Elaine stood watching her and wondering how in the world she could find out more. She knew now just enough to keep her from eating or sleeping until she knew everything. "I don't agree with papa, at all," she said, during a lull in the tears. This was the only remark she could think of. " He'll lock you up, and feed you on bread and water till you do — oo — oo !" sobbed Mistletoe; "and by that time we shall all be ea — ea — eaten up !" " But I'll talk to papa, and make him change his mind." " He won't. Do you think you're going to make him care more about a lot of sheep and cows than he does about his only daugh- ter? Doesn't he pay the people for everything the Dragon eats up? Who would pay him for you, when you were eaten up?" " How do you know that I should be eaten up ?" asked Miss Elaine. " Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! and how could you stop it ? What could a girl do alone against a dragon in the middle of the night?" "But on Christmas Eve?" suggested the young lady. "There might be something different about that. He might feel better, you know, on Christmas Eve." " Do you suppose a wicked, ravenous dragon with a heathen tail is going to care whether it is Christmas Eve or not? He'd have you for his Christmas dinner, and that's all the notice he v/ould take of the day. And then perhaps he wouldn't leave the THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 39 country, after all. How can you be sure he would go away, just because that odious, vulgar legend says so? Who would rely on a dragon? And so there you would be gone, and he would be here, and everything !" Mistletoe's tears flowed afresh; but you see she had said all that Miss Elaine was so curious to know about, and the fatal secret was out. The Quarter-Bell rang for dinner, and both the women hastened to their rooms to make ready ; Mistletoe still boo-hooing and snuffling, and declaring that she had always said some wretched, abominable villain would tell her child about that horrid, ridiculous legend, that was a perfect falsehood, as anybody could see, and very likely invented by the Dragon himself, because no human being with any feelings at all would think of such a cruel, absurd idea ; and if they ever did, they deserved to be eaten themselves ; and she would not have it. She said a great deal more that Elaine, in the next room, could not hear (though the door was open between), because the Governess put her fat old face under the cold water in the basin, and, though she went on talking just the same, it only produced an angry sort of bubbling, which conveyed very litde notion of what she meant. 40 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. So they descended the stairway, Miss Elaine walking first, very straight and solemn ; and that was the way she marched into the banquet-hall, where Sir Godfrey waited. "Papa." said she; "I think I'll meet the Dragon on Christmas Eve !" HAPTERIII CRcueals / the JDragon in his Y^^n \ ROUND the sullen towers of Oys- ter-le-Main the snow was falling steadily. It was slowly banking up in the deep sills of the windows, and Hubert the Sacristan had given up sweeping the steps. Patches of it, that had collected on the top of the great bell as the slanting draughts blew it in through the belfry-window, slid down from time to time among the birds which had nestled for shelter in the beams below. From the heavy main outer-gates, the country spread in a white unbroken sheet to the woods. Twice, perhaps, through the morning had wayfarers toiled by .along the nearly- obliterated high-road. •' Good luck to the holy men !'' each had said to himself as he looked at the chill and austere walls of the Monastery. "Good luck ! and I hope that within there they be warmer than I am." Then I think it very likely that as he walked on, blowing the fingers of the hand that held his staff, he thought of his fireside and his wife, and blessed Providence for not making him pious enoueh to be a monk and a bachelor. This is what was doing in the world outside. Now inside the stone walls of Oyster-le-Main, whose grim solidity spoke of narrow cells and of pious knees continually bent in prayer, not a monk paced the corridors, and not a step could be heard above or below in the staircase that wound up through the round towers. 43 44 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. Silence was everywhere, save that from a remote quarter of the Monastery came a faint sound of music. Upon such a time as Christmas Eve, it might well be that carols in plenty would be sung or studied by the saintly men. But this sounded like no carol. At times the humming murmur of the storm drowned the measure, whatever it was, and again it came along the dark, cold entries, clearer than before. Away in a long vaulted room, whose only approach was a passage in the thickness of the walls, safe from the intrusion of the curious, a company is sitting round a cavernous chimney, where roars and crackles a great blazing heap of logs. Surely, for a monkish song, their melody is most odd ; yet monks they are, for all are clothed in gray, like Father Anselm, and a rope round the waist of each. But what can possibly be in that huge silver rundlet into which they plunge their goblets so often ? The sono- crrows louder than ever. We are the monks of Oyster-le-Main, Hooded and gowned as fools may see ; Hooded and gowned though we monks be, Is that a reason we should abstain From cups of the gamesome Burgundie ? Though our garments make it plain That we are Monks of Oyster-le-Main, That is no reason we should abstain From cups of the gamesome Burgundie. " I'm sweating hot," says one. " How for disrobing, brothers ? No danger on such a day as this, foul luck to the snow !" Which you see was coarse and vulgar language for any one to be heard to use, and particularly so for a godly celibate. But the words were scarce said, when off fly those monks' hoods, and the waist-ropes rattle as they fall on the floor, and the gray gowns drop down and are kicked away. THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 45 Every man jack of them is in black armour, with a long sword buckled to his side. "Long cheer to the Guild of Go-as-you-Please !" they shouted, hoarsely, and dashed their drinking-horns on the board. Then filled them again. "Give us a song, Hubert," said one. "The day's a dull one out in the world." "Wait a while," replied Hubert, whose nose was hidden in his cup; "this new Wantley tipple is a vastly comfortable brew. What d'ye call the stuff?" " Malvoisie, thou oaf!" said another; "and of a delicacy many degrees above thy bumpkin palate. Leave profaning it, therefore, and to thy refrain without more ado." " Most unctuous sir," replied Hubert, " in demanding me this - 'tx ir'iT ■' '^ \ — Tirni f^-vour, you seem forgetful that the juice i«iijill of Pleasure is sweeter than the milk of '^''1 Human Kindness. I'll not sing to give ¥ W ^^JfeaP^'^^l ^^^ ^" opportunity to outnumber me in i|:,' Ite llVrW^w "I'K, yi -thy cups." he filled and instantly emptied another sound bumper of the Malvoisie, lurching slightly as he did so. "Health!" he added, preparing to swallow the next. 46 THE DRAGON OF IVANTLEY. "A murrain on such pagan thirst!" exclaimed he who had been toasted, snatching the cup away. "Art thou altogether unslakable ? Is thy belly a lime-kiln? Nay, shalt taste not a single drop more. Hubert, till we have a stave. Come, tune up, man !" " Give me but leave to hold the empty vessel, then," the singer pleaded, falling on one knee in mock supplication. "Accorded, thou sot!" laughed the other. "Carol away, now!" They fell into silence, each replenishing his drinking-horn. The snow beat soft against the window, and from outside, far above them, sounded the melancholy note of the bell ringing in the hour for meditation. So Hubert began : When the sable veil of night Over hill and glen is spread, The yeoman bolts his door in fright, And he quakes within his bed. Far away on his ear There strikes a sound of dread : Something comes ! it is here ! It is passed with awful tread. There's a flash of unholy flame ; There is smoke hangs hot in the air : 'Twas the Dragon of Wantley came : Beware of him, beware ! But we beside the fire Sit close to the steaming bowl; We pile the logs up higher, And loud our voices roll. When the yeoman wakes at dawn To begin his round of toil, His garner's bare, his sheep are gone. And the Dragon holds the spoil. THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 47 All day long through the earth That yeoman makes his moan ; All day long there is mirth Behind these walls of stone. For we are the Lords of Ease, The gaolers of carking Care, The Guild of Go-as- you-Please ! Beware of us, beware ! So we beside the fire Sit down to the steaming bowl ; We pile the logs up higher, And loud our voices roll. The roar of twenty lusty throats and the clatter of cups banging on the table rendered the words of the chorus entirely inaudible. " Here's Malvoisie for thee, Hubert," said one of the company, dipping into the rundlet. But his hand struck against the dry bottom. They had finished four gallons since breakfast, and it was scarcely eleven gone on the clock ! " Oh, I am betrayed !" Hubert sang out. Then he added, " But there is a plenty where that came from." And with that he reached for his gown, and, fetching out a bunch of great brass keys, pro- ceeded towards a tall door in the wall, and turned the lock. The door swung open, and Hubert plunged into the dark recess thus disclosed. An exclamation of chagrin followed, and the empty hide of a huge crocodile, with a pair of trailing wings to it, came bump- ing out from the closet into the hall, giving out many hollow cracks as it floundered along, fresh from a vigourous kick that the intem- perate minstrel had administered in his rage at having put his hand into the open jaws of the monster instead of upon the neck of the demijohn that contained the Malvoisie. " Beshrew thee, Hubert !" said the voice of a new-comer, who stood eyeing the proceedings from a distance, near where he had 48 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. entered ; " treat the carcase of our patron saint with a more befit- ting reverence, or I'll have thee caged and put upon brea'd and water. Remember, that whosoever kicks that skin in some sort kicks me," "Long life to the Dragon of Wantley !" said Hubert, reappear- ing, very dusty, but clasping a plump demijohn. "Hubert, my lad," said the new-comer, "put back that vessel of inebriation ; and, because I like thee well for thy youth and thy sweet voice, do not therefore presume too far with me." A somewhat uneasy pause followed upon this ; and while Hubert edged back into the closet with his demijohn, Father Anselm frowned slightly as his eyes turned upon the scene of late hilarity. But where is the Dragon in his den ? you ask. Are we not coming to him soon ? Ah, but we have come to him. You shall hear the truth. Never believe that sham story about More of More Hall, and how he slew the Dragon of Wantley. It is a gross fabrication of some unscrupulous and mediocre literary person, who, I make no doubt, was in the pay of More to blow his trumpet so loud that a credulous posterity might hear it. My account of the Dragon is the only true one. ^^ uie bcr.j Fire ' clofe toOic ^.^tiH^'^ ^^^^i* ^HARTBR.IV Tells 'about Kim- N those days of shifting fortunes, of turbulence and rapine, of knights- errant and minstrels seeking for adventure and love, and of solitary pilgrims and bodies of pious men wandering over Europe to proclaim that the duty of all was to arise and quell the pagan defilers of the Holy Shrine, good men and bad men, undoubted saints and unmistakable sinners, drifted forward and back through every country, came by night and by day to every household, and lived their lives in that unbounded and peril- ous freedom that put them at one moment upon the top limit of their ambition or their delight, and plunged them into violent and bloody death almost ere the moment was gone. It was a time when "fatten at thy neighbour's expense" was the one command- ment observed by many who outwardly maintained a profound respect for the original ten ; and any man whose wit taught him how this commandment could be obeyed with the greatest profit and the least danger was in high standing among his fellows. Hence it was that Francis Almoign, Knight of the Voracious Stomach, cumbered with no domestic ties worthy of mention, a tall slim fellow who knew the appropriate hour to slit a throat or to wheedle a maid, came to be Grand Marshal of the Guild of Go-as-you-Please. This secret band, under its Grand Marshal, roved over Europe and thrived mightily. Each member was as stout hearted a villain 51 52 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. as you could see. Sometimes their doings came to light, and they were forced to hasten across the borders of an outraged territory into new pastures. Yet they fared well in the main, for they could fight and drink and sing ; and many a fair one smiled upon them, in spite of their perfectly outrageous morals. So, one day, they came into the neighbourhood of Oyster-le- Main, where much confusion reigned among the good monks. Sir Godfrey Disseisin over at Wantley had let Richard Lion Heart depart for the Holy Wars without him. "Like father like son," the people muttered in their discontent. " Sure, the Church will gravely punish this second offence." To all these whisperings of rumour the Grand Marshal of the Guild paid fast attention ; for he was a man who laid his plans deeply, and much in advance of the event. He saw the country was fat and the neighbours foolish. He took note of the handsome tithes that came in to Oyster-le-Main for the support of the monks. He saw all these things, and set himself to thinking. Upon a stormy afternoon, when the light was nearly gone out of the sky, a band of venerable pilgrims stood at the great gates of the Monastery. Their garments were tattered, their shoes were in sad disrepair. They had walked (they said) all the way from Jerusalem. Might they find shelter for the night? The tale they told, and the mere sight of their trembling old beards, would have melted hearts far harder than those which beat in the breasts of the monks of Oyster-le-Main. But above all, these pilgrims brought with them as convincing proofs of their journey a collec- tion of relics and talismans (such as are to be met with only in Eastern countries), of great wonder and virtue. With singular generosity, which they explained had been taught them by the Arabs, they presented many of these treasures to the delighted inmates of the Monastery, who hastened to their respective cells, — this one reverently cherishing a tuft of hair from the tail of one THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 53 of Daniel's lions ; another handling with deep fervour a strip of the coat of many colours once worn by the excellent Joseph. But the most extraordinary relic among them all, was the skin of a huge lizard beast, the like of which none in England had ever seen. This, the Pilgrims told their hosts, was no less a thing than a crocodile from the Nile, the renowned river of Moses. It had been pressed upon them, as they were departing from the City of Damascus, by a friend, a blameless chiropodist, whose name was Omar Khayyam, He it was who eked out a pious groat by tending the feet of all outward and inward bound pil- grims. Seated at the entrance of his humble booth, with the foot of some holy man in his lap, he would speak words of kindness and wisdom as he reduced the inflammation. One of his quaintest sayings was, " If the Pope has bid thee wear hair next thy bare skin, my son, why clap a wig over thy shaven scalp." So the monks in proper pity and kindness, when they had shut the great gates as night came down, made their pilgrim guests welcome to bide at Oyster-le-Main as long as they pleased. The solemn bell for retiring rolled forth in the darkness with a single deep clang, and the sound went far and wide over the neighbouring district. Those peasants who were still awake in their scattered cottages, crossed themselves as they thought, "The holy men at Oyster-le- Main are just now going to their rest." And thus the world outside grew still, and the thick walls of the Monastery loomed up against the stars. Deep in the midnight, many a choking cry rang fearfully through the stony halls, but came not to the outer air ; and the waning moon shone faintly down upon the enclosure of the garden, where worked a band of silent grave-diggers, clad in black armour, and with blood-red hands. The good country folk, who came at early morning with their presents of poultry and milk, little guessed what sheep's clothing the gray cowls and 54 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. gowns of Oyster-le-Main had become in a single night, nor what impious lips those were which now muttered blessings over their bent heads. The following night, hideous sounds were heard in the fields, and those who dared to open their shutters to see what the matter was, beheld a huge lizard beast, with fiery breath and accompanied by ratding thunder, raging over the soil, which he hardly seemed to touch ! In this manner did the dreaded Dragon of Wanriey make his appearance, and in this manner did Sir Francis Almoign, Knight of the Voracious Stomach, stand in the shoes of that Father Anselm whom he had put so comfortably out of the way under the flower- beds in the Monastery garden, — and never a soul in the world except his companions in orgy to know the difference. He even came to be welcome at Sir Godfrey's table ; for after the Dragon's appearance, the Baron grew civil to all members of the Church. By day this versatile sinner, the Grand Marshal, would walk in the sight of the world with staid step, clothed in gray, his hood concealing his fierce, unchurchly eyes ; by night, inside the crocodile skin, he visited what places he chose, unhindered by the terrified dwellers, and after him came his followers of the Guild to steal the plunder and bear it back inside the walls of Oyster-le-Main. Never in all their adventures had these superb miscreants been in better plight ; but now the trouble had begun, as you are going to hear. We return to Hubert and the company. " Hubert and all of you," said Father Anselm, or rather Sir Francis, the Grand Marshal, as we know him to be, " they say that whom the gods desire to destroy, him do they first make drunk with wine." "The application! the application!" they shouted in hoarse and mirthful chorus, for they were certainly near that state favourable to destruction by the gods. One black fellow with a sliding gait THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 55 T^luBe-RTi XooKj^xh ou-t oi^y 6)i|xt>ofa> ran into the closet and brought a sheet of thin iron, and a strange torch-Hke tube, which he lighted at the fire and blew into from the other end. A plume of spitting flame immediately shot far into the air. "Before thy sermon proceeds, old Dragon," he said, puffing unsteady but solemn breaths between his words, "wrap up in lightning and thunder that we may be — may be — lieve what you say." Then he shook the iron till it gave forth a frightful shattering sound. The Grand Marshal said not a word. With three longr steps he stood towering in front of the man and dealt him a side blow under the ear with his steel fist. He fell instantly, folding together like something boneless, and lay along the floor for a moment quite still, except that some piece in his armour made a light rattling as though there were muscles that quivered beneath 56 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. it. Then he raised himself slowly to a bench where his brothers sat waiting, soberly enough. Only young Hubert grinned aside to his neighbour, who, perceiving it, kept his eyes fixed as far from that youth as possible. "Thy turn next, if art not careful, Hubert," said Sir Francis very quietly, as he seated himself "Wonder of saints!" Hubert thought secretly, not moving at all, " how could he have seen that ?" "'Tis no small piece of good fortune," continued the Grand Marshal, "that some one among us can put aside his slavish appetites, and keep a clear eye on the watch against misadventure. Here is my news. That hotch-pot of lies we set going among the people has fallen foul of us. The daughter of Sir Godfrey has heard our legend, and last week told her sire that to-night she would follow it out to the letter, and meet the Dragon of Wantley alone in single combat." " Has she never loved any man ?" asked one. "She fulfils every condition." "Who told her?" "That most consummate of fools, the Mistletoe." said the Grand Marshal. "What did Sir Godfrey do upon that?" inquired Hubert. " He locked up his girl and chained the Governess to a rock, where she has remained in deadly terror ever since, but kept fat for me to devour her. Me !" and Sir Francis permitted himself to smile, though not ver^' broadly. " How if Sir Dragon had found the maid chained instead of the ancient widow?" Hubert said, venturing to tread a little nearer to familiarity on the strength of the amusement which played across the Grand Master's face. "Ah, Hubert boy," he replied, 'T see it is not in the Spring only, but in Autumn and Summer and Winter as well, that thy THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 57 fancy turns to thoughts of love. Did the calendar year but contain a fifth season, in that also wouldst thou be making honey- dew faces at somebody." But young Hubert only grinned, and closed his flashing eyes a little, in satisfaction at the character which had been given him. "Time presses," Sir Francis said. "By noon we shall receive an important visit. There has been a great sensation at Wantley. The country folk are aroused ; the farmers have discovered that the secret of our legend has been revealed to Miss Elaine. Not one of the clowns would have dared reveal it himself, but all rejoice in the bottom of their hearts that she knows it, and chooses to risk battle with the Dragon. Their honest Saxon minds perceive the thrift of such an arrangement. Therefore there is general anxiety and disturbance to know if Sir Godfrey will permit the conflict. The loss of his Malvoisie tried him sorely, — but he remains a father." "That's kind in him," said Hubert. Sir Francis turned a cold eye on Hubert. "As befits a clean-blooded man," he proceeded, " I have risen at the dawn and left you wine-pots in your thick sleep. From the wood's edge over by Wantley I've watched the Baron come eagerly to an upper window in his white night-shift. And when he looks out on Misdetoe and sees she is not devoured, he bursts into a rage that can be plainly seen from a distance. These six mornings I laughed so loud at this spectacle, that I almost feared discovery. Next, the Baron visits his daughter, only to find her food untasted and herself silent. I fear she is less of a fool than the rest. But now his paternal heart smites him, and he has let her out. Also the Governess is free." "Such a girl as that would not flinch from meeting our Dragon," said Hubert ; " aye, or from seeking him." "She must never meet the Dragon," Sir Francis declared. 58 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. "What could I do shut up in the crocodile, and she with a sword, of course ?" They were gloomily silent. "I could not devour her properly as a dragon should. Nor could I carry her away," pursued Sir Francis. Here Hubert, who had gone to the window, returned hastily, exclaiming, " They are coming !" "Who are coming?" asked several. "The Baron, his daughter, the Governess, and all Wantley at their backs, to ask our pious advice," said the Grand Marshal. " Quick, into your gowns, one and all ! Be monks outside, though you stay men underneath." For a while the hall was filled with jostling gray figures entangled in the thick folds of the gowns, into which the arms, legs, and heads had been thrust regardless of direction ; the armour clashed invisible underneath as the hot and choked members of the Guild plunged about like wild animals sewed into sacks, in their struggles to reappear in decent monastic attire. The winged crocodile was kicked into the closet, after it were hurled the thunder machine and the lightning torch, and after them clattered the cups and the silver rundlet. Barely had Hubert turned the key, when knocking at the far-off gate was heard. "Go down quickly, Hubert," said the Grand Marshal, "and lead them all here." Presently the procession of laity, gravely escorted by Hubert, began to file into the now barren-looking room, while the monks stood with hands folded, and sang loudly what sounded to the uninstructed ears of each listener like a Latin hymn. tHAPTERA^ Q^^fc-^^ i two lint* lous Horns IN instantly into the house," said Geoffrey to Elaine, and he dragged out his sword. But she stared at him, and noth- ing further. " Or no. Stay here and see me kill him," the boy added, pridefully. " Kill him !" said she, in amaze- ment. *' Do you suppose that papa, with all his experience, couldn't tell it was an imitation dragon ? And you talk of strategy ! I have thought much about to-night, — and, Geoffrey, you must do just the thing that I bid you, and nothing else. Promise." " I think we'll hear first what your wisdom is," said he, shaking his head like the sage youth that he was. "Promise!" she repeated, "else I go away at once, and leave you. Now ! One — two — thrrr " "I promise!" he shouted. " 'Sh ! Papa's window is just round the tower. Now, sir, you must go over yonder within those trees." "Where?" " There where the snow has dipped the branches low down. And leave me alone in the cellar with the Dragon." "With the Dragon? Alone? I did not know you counted me a lunatic," replied Geoffrey. Then, after a look over the fields where the storm was swirling, he gave attention to the point of his sword. 103 I04 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. "Where's your promise?" said she. "Will you break your word so soon ?" A big gust of wind flung the snow sharp against their faces. " Did you expect " began the young knight, and then said some words that I suppose gentlemen in those old times were more prone to use before ladies than they are today. Which shows the optimists are right. Then, still distant, but not so distant, came another roar. "Geoffrey!" Elaine said, laying a hand upon his arm; "indeed, you must hear me now, and make no delay with contrary notions. There is no danger for me. Look. He will first be by himself to clear the way of watchers. No one peeps out of windows when the Dragon's howling. Next, the rest will come and all go into papa's cellar for the wine. But we must get these others away, and that's for you." She paused. "Well? Well?" he said. " It will go thus : the passage shall hide me, and the door of it be shut. You'll watch over by the trees, and when you see all have come inside here, make some sort of noise at the edge of the wood." "What sort of noise?" " Oh, — not as if you suspected. Seem to be passing by. Play you are a villager going home late. When they hear that, they'll run away for fear of their secret. The Dragon will surely stay behind." "Why will he stay behind? Why will they run away?" " Dear Geoffrey, don't you see that if these men were to be seen in company with the Dragon by one who till now knew them as monks, where would their living be gone to ? Of course, they will get themselves out of sight, and the Dragon will remain as a sort of human scarecrow. Then I'll come out from the passage- door." THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 105 " One would almost think you desired that villain to kill you," said Geoffrey. " No, indeed. I'll not consent to that part." "How shall he kill me here?" Elaine replied. "Do you not see the Dragon of Wantley would have to carry a maiden away? He would not dare to put me to the sword. When I come, I shall speak three words to him. Before there is time for him to think what to do, you will hear me say (for you must have now run up from the wood) ' the legend has come true !' Then, when I tell him that, do you walk in ready with your sword to keep him polite. Oh, indeed," said the lady, with her eyes sparkling on Geoffrey, " we must keep his manners good for him. For I think he's one of those persons who might turn out very rude in a trying situation." All this was far from pleasing to young Geoffrey. But Elaine showed him how no other way was to be found by which Sir Francis could be trapped red-handed and distant from help. While the knight was bending his brows down with trying to set his thoughts into some order that should work out a better device, a glare shone over the next hill against the falling flakes. " Quick !" said Elaine. She withdrew into the cellar on the instant, and the great door closed between them. Geoffrey stood looking at it very anxiously, and then walked backwards, keeping close to the walls, and so round the tower and into the court, whence he turned and ploughed as fast as he could through the deep drifts till he was inside the trees. " If they spy my steps," he thought, " it will seem as though some one of the house had gone in there to secure the door." Once more the glare flashed against the swiftly-descending curtains of the storm. Slowly it approached, sometimes illuminating a tree-trunk for a moment, then suddenly gleaming on the white mounds where rocks lay deeply cloaked. " He is pretty slow," said Geoffrey, shifting the leg he was lean- ing on. io6 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. A black mass moved into sight, and from it came spout- ings of fire that showed dark, jagged wings heavily flapping. It walked a little and stopped; then walked again. Geoffrey could see a great snout and head rocking and turning. Dismal and unspeakable sounds proceeded from the creat- ure as it made towards the cellar-door. After it had got close and leaned against the panels in a toppling, swaying fashion, came a noise of creaking and fumbling, and then the door rolled aside upon its hinges. Next, the blurred white ridge towards Oyster-le-Main was darkened with moving specks that came steadily near ; and man by man of the Guild reached the open door crouching, whispered a word or two, and crept inside. They made no sound that could be heard above the hissing of the downward flakes and the wind that moaned always, but louder sometimes. Only Elaine, with her ear to the cold iron key-hole of the passage-door, could mark the clink of armour, and shivered as she stood in the dark. And now the cellar is full, — but not of gray gowns. The candle flames show THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 107 little glistening sparks in the black coats of mail, and the sight of themselves cased in steel, and each bearing an empty keg, stirred a laughter among them. Then the kegs were set down without noise on the earthy floor among the bins. The Dragon was stand- ing on his crooked scaly hind-legs ; and to see the grim, changeless jaw and eyes brought a dead feeling around the heart. But the two bungling fore-paws moved upwards, shaking like a machine, and out of a slit in the hide came two white hands that lifted to one side the brown knarled mask of the crocodile. There was the black head of Sir Francis Almoign. " 'Tis hot in there," he said ; and with two fingers he slung the drops of sweat from his forehead. "Wet thy whistle before we begin," said Hubert, filling a jug for him. Sir Francis took it in both hands, and then clutched it tightly as a sudden singing was set up out in the night. " Come, take a wife, Come, take a wife, Ere thou learnest age's treasons!" The tune came clear and jolly, cutting through the muffled noises of the tempest. "Blood and death!" muttered Hubert. Each figure had sprung into a stiff position of listening. " Quit thy roving; Shalt by loving Not wax lean in stormy seasons. Ho ! ho ! oh,— ho ! Not wax lean in " Here the strain snapped off short. Then a whining voice said, " Oh, I have fallen again ! A curse on these roots. Lucifer fell only once, and 'twas enough for him. I have looked on the wine when it was red, and my dame Jeanie will know it soon, oh, soon i But my sober curse on these roots." I08 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. "That's nothing," said Hubert. "There's a band of Christmas singers has strolled into these parts to chant carols. One of them has stopped too long at the tavern." "Do I see a light?" said the voice. "Help! Give me a light, and let me o-q home. & " Quit thy roving; Shalt by loving — " Shall I open his throat, that he may sing the next verse in heaven?" Hubert inquired. " No, fool !" said Sir Francis. " Who knows if his brother sots are not behind him to wake the house ? This is too dangerous to-night. Away with you, every one. Stoop low till ye are well among the fields, and then to Oyster-le-Main ! I'll be Dragon for a while, and follow after." Quickly catching up his keg, each man left the cellar like a shadow. Geoffrey, from the edge of the wood, saw them come out and dissolve away into the night. With the tube of the torch at his lips, Sir Francis blew a blast of fire out at the door, then covered his head once more with the erinninQf crocodile. He roared twice, and heard something creak behind him, so turned to see what had made it. There was Miss Elaine on the passage- steps. Her lips moved to speak, but for a short instant fear put a silence upon her that she found no voice to break. He, with a notion she was there for the sake of the legend, waved his great paws and trundled towards where she was standing. " Do not forget to roar, sir," said the young lady, managing her voice so there was scarce any tremble to be heard in it. At this the Dragon stood still. " You perceive," she said to him, " after all, a dragon, like a mouse, comes to the trap." THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. IO9 " Not quite yet," cried Sir Francis, in a terrible voice, and rushed upon her, meaning death. "The legend has come true!" she loudly said. A gleaming shaft of steel whistled across the sight of Sir Francis. '' Halt there !" thundered Geoffrey, leaping between the two, and poising his sword for a lunge. " My hour has come," Sir Francis thought. For he was cased in the stiff hide, and could do nothing in defence. " Now shalt thou lick the earth with thy lying tongue," said Geoffrey. A sneer came through the gaping teeth of the crocodile. " Valiant, indeed !" the voice said. " Very valiant and knightly, oh son of Bertram of Poictiers ! Frenchmen know when to be bold. Ha! ha!" " Crawl out of that nut, thou maggot," answered Geoffrey, " and taste thy doom." Here was a chance, the gift of a fool. The two white hands appeared and shifted the mask aside, letting them see a cunning hope on his face. "Do not go further, sir," said Elaine. "It is for the good of us all that you abide where you are. As I shall explain." "What is this, Elaine?" said Geoffrey. "Your promise!" she answered, lifting a finger at him. There was a dry crack from the crocodile's hide. " Villain !" cried Geoffrey, seizing the half-extricated body by the throat. "Thy false skin is honester than thyself, and warned us. Back inside !" The robber's eyes shrivelled to the size of a snake's, as, with no tenderness, the youth grappled with him still entangled, and with hands, feet, and knees drove him into his shell as a hasty traveller tramples his effects into a packing-case. I lO THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. "See," said Elaine, " how pleasantly we two have you at our disposal. Shall the neighbours be called to have a sight of the Dragon ?" "What do you want with me?" said Sir Francis, quietly. For he was a philosopher. "In the first place," answered Geoffrey, "know that thou art caught. And if I shall spare thee this night, it may well be they'll set thy carcase swinging on the gallows-tree to-morrow morning, — or, being Christmas, the day after." "I can see my case without thy help," Sir Francis replied. "What next?" At this, Elaine came to Geoffrey and they whispered together. "Thy trade is done for," said the youth, at length. "There'll be no more monks of Oyster-le-Main, and no more Dragon of Wantley. But thou and the other curs may live, if ye so choose." "Through what do I buy my choice?" " Through a further exhibi- tion of thine art. Thou must play Dragon to-night once again for the last time. This, that I may show thee captive to Sir Godfrey Disseisin." " And in chains, I think," added Elaine. " There is one TTlie^ Dragon percefuefJi fiymfelf to be entrapped [ THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. Ill behind the post.'' It had belonged in the bear-pit during the lives of Orlando Crumb and Furioso Bun, two bears trapped expressly for the Baron near Roncevaux. "After which?" inquired Sir Francis. " Thou shalt go free, and I will claim this lady's hand from her father, who promised her to any man that brought the Dragon to him dead or alive." "Papa shall be kept at a distance from you," said Elaine, "and will never suspect in this dimness, if you roar at him thoroughly." "Then," continued Geoffrey, "I shall lead thee away as my spoil, and the people shall see the lizard-skin after a little while. But thou must journey far from Wantley, and never show face again." "And go from Oyster-le-Main and the tithings?" exclaimed Sir Francis. "My house and my sustenance?" "Sustain thyself elsewhere," said Geoffrey; "I care not how." " No !" said Sir Francis. " I'll not do this." "Then we call Sir Godfrey. The Baron will not love thee very much, seeing how well he loves his Burgundy thou hast drank. Thou gavest him sermons on cold spring-water. He'll remember that. I think thou'lt be soon hanging. So choose." The Knight of the Voracious Stomach was silent. "This is a pretty scheme thou hast," he presently said. "And not thine own. She has taught thee this wit, I'll be bound. Mated to her thou'lt prosper, I fear." " Come, thy choice," said Geoffrey, sternly. A sour smile moved the lips of Sir Francis. "Well," he said, "it has been good while it lasted. Yes, I consent. Our interests lie together. See how Necessity is the mother of Friendship, also." The mask was drawn over his face, and they wound the chain about the great body. "There must be sounds of fighting," said Elaine. "Make them when I am gone into the house." 112 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. "If I had Strangled thee in thy prison, which was in my mind," said the voice of the hidden speaker, " this folly we — but there. Let it go, and begin." Then they fell to making a wonderful disturbance. The Dragon's voice was lifted in horrid howlings ; and the young knight continually bawled with all his lungs. They chased as chil- dren in a game do : forward, back, and across to nowhere, knocking the barrels, clanking and clashing, up between the rows and around corners ; and the dry earth was ground under their feet and swept from the floor upward in a fine floating yellow powder that they sucked down into their windpipes, while still they hustled and jangled and banged and coughed and grew dripping wet, so the dust and the water mingled and ran black streams along their bodies from the neck downwards, tickling their backs and stomachs mightily. When the breath was no longer inside them, they stopped to listen. The house was stone still, and no noise came, save always the wind's same cheerless blowing. " How much more of this before they will awaken ?" exclaimed Geoffrey, in indignation. " 'Tis a scandal people should sleep so." "They are saying their prayers," said Sir Francis. " It is a pity thou art such a miscreant," Geoffrey said, heartily ; "otherwise I could sweat myself into a good-humour with thee." But Sir Francis replied with coldness, " It is easy for the upper hand to laugh." "We must at it again," said Geoffrey; "and this time I will let them hear thou art conquered." The din and hubbub recom- menced. And Mistletoe could hear it where she quaked inside her closet holding the door with both hands. And the Baron could hear it. He was locked in the bath-room, dreadfully sorry he had not gone to the Crusade. Quite unknowingly in his alarm he had laid hold of a cord that set s^oincr the shower-bath ; but he c^ave no THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 113 heed at all to this trifle. And every man and woman in the house heard the riot, from the sculHon up through the cook to Popham, who had unstrapped his calves before retiring, so that now his lean shanks knocked together like hockey-sticks. Little Whelpdale, freezing in his shirt-tail under the bed, was crying piteously upon all Saints to forget about his sins and deliver him. Only Miss Elaine standing in her room listened with calm ; and she with not much, being on the threshold of a chance that might turn untoward so readily. Presently a victorious shouting came from far down through the dark. "He is mine!" the voice bellowed. "I have laid him low. The Dragon is taken." At this she hastened to summon Sir Godfrey. "Why, where can he be?" she exclaimed, stopping in astonish- ment at his room, empty and the door open wide. Down in the cellar the voice continued to call on all people to come and see the Dragon of Wantley. Also Elaine heard a splashing and dripping that sounded in the bath-room. So she ran to the door and knocked. " You can't come in !" said the Baron angrily. " Papa ! They've caught the Dragon. Oh why are you taking your bath at such a time?" " Taking my grandmother !" Sir Godfrey retorted in great dud- geon. But he let the rope go, and the shower stopped running. "Go to your room," he added. "I told you to lock your door. This Dragon " " But he's caught, papa," cried Elaine through the key-hole. "Don't you hear me? Geoff somebody has got him." "How now?" said the Baron, unlocking the door and peering out. "What's all this?" His dressing-gown was extremely damp, for stray spouts from the shower-bath had squirted over him. Fortunately, the breast- plate underneath had kept him dry as far as it went. 114 ^-^^ DRAGON OF WANTLEY. " Hum," he said, after he had hstened to the voice in the cellar. "This is something to be cautious over," " If the people of this house do not come soon to bear witness of my conquest," said the voice in tones of thunder, "I'll lead this Dragon through every chamber of it myself." "Damnum absque injuria!" shrieked Sir Godfrey, and uttered much more horrible language entirely unfit for general use. "What the Jeofailes does the varlet mean by threatening an Englishman in his own house? I should like to know who lives here? I should like to know who I am ?" The Baron flew down the entry in a rage. He ran to his bed- side and pulled his sword from under the pillows where he always kept it at night with his sun-dial. "We shall see who is master of this house," he said. "I am not going to — does he suppose anybody that pleases can come carting their dragons through my premises ? Get up ! Get up ! Every one !" he shouted, hurrying along the hall with the sword in his right hand and a lantern in his left. His slippers were only half on, so they made a slithering and slapping over the floor ; and his speed was such that the quilted red dressing-gown filled with the wind and spread behind him till he looked like a huge new sort of bird or an eccentric balloon. Up and down in all quarters of the house went Sir Godfrey, pounding against every shut door. Out they came. Mistletoe from her closet, squeaking. Whelpdale from under his bed. The Baron allowed him time to put on a pair of breeches wrong side out. The cook came, and you could hear her panting all the way down from the attic. Out came the nine housemaids with hair in curl-papers. The seven footmen followed. Meeson and Welsby had forgotten their wigs. The coachman and grooms and stable-boys came in horse-blankets and boots. And last in the procession, old Popham, one calf securely strapped on, and the other dangling disgracefully. Breathless they THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 115 huddled behind the Baron, who strode to the cellar, where he flung the door open. Over in a corner was a hideous monster, and every man fell against his neighbour and shrieked. At which the monster roared most alarmingly, and all fell to- gether again. Young Geoffrey stood in the middle of the cellar, and said not a word. One end of a chain was in his hand, and he waited mighty stiff for the Baron to speak. But when he saw Miss Elaine come stealing in after the rest so quiet and with her eyes fixed upon him, his own eyes shone wonderfully. At the sight of the Dragon, Sir Godfrey forgot his late excitement, and muttered " Bless my soul !" Then he stared at the beast for some time. "Can — can't he do anything?" he inquired. "No," said Geoffrey shortly; "he can't." " Not fly up at one, for instance ?" " I have broken his wing," replied the youth. 'T — I'd like to look at him. Never saw one before," said the Baron ; and he took two steps. Then gingerly he moved another step. "Take care!" Geoffrey cried, with rapid alarm. Il6 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. The monster moved, and from his nostrils (as it seemed) shot a plume of flame. Popham clutched the cook, and the nine house-maids sank instantly into the arms of the seven footmen without the slightest regard to how unsatisfactorily nine goes into seven. "Good heavens!" said the Baron, getting behind a hogshead, "what a brute !" " Perhaps it might be useful if I excommunicated him," said the Rev. Hucbald, who had come in rather late, with his clerical frock-coat buttoned over his pyjamas. "Pooh!" said the Baron. "As if he'd care for that." " Very few men can handle a dragon," said Geoffrey, uncon- cernedly, and stroked his upper lip, where a kindly-disposed person might see there was going to be a moustache some day. " I don't know exactly what you mean to imply by that, young man," said the Baron, coming out from behind the hogshead and puffing somewhat pompously. "Why, zounds!" he exclaimed, "I left you locked up this afternoon, and securely. How came you here ?" Geoffrey coughed, for it was an awkward inquiry. "Answer me without so much throat-clearing," said the Baron. "I'll clear my throat as it pleases me," replied Geoffi'ey hotly. " How I came here is no affair of yours that I can see. But ask Father Anselm himself, and he will tell you." This was a happy thought, and the youth threw a look at the Dragon, who nodded slightly. " I have a question to ask you, sir," Geoffi'ey continued, taking a tone and manner more polite. Then he pointed to the Dragon with his sword, and was silent. "Well?" said Sir Godfrey, "don't keep me waiting." " I fear your memory's short, sir. By your word proclaimed this morning the man who brought you this Dragon should have your daughter to wife if she — if she " THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. II7 "Ha!" said the Baron. "To be sure. Though it was hasty. Hum ! Had I foreseen the matter would be so immediately setded — she's a great prize for any lad — and you're not hurt either. One should be hurt for such a reward. You seem entirely sound of limb and without a scratch. A great prize." "There's the Dragon," replied Geoffrey, "and here am I." Now Sir Godfrey was an honourable man. When he once had given his word, you could hold him to it. That is very uncommon to-day, particularly in the matter of contracts. He gathered his dressing-gown about him, and looked every inch a parent. "Elaine," he said, "my dear?" "Oh, papa!" murmured that young woman in a die-away voice. Geoffrey had just time to see the look in her brown eye as she turned her head away. And his senses reeled blissfully, and his brain blew out like a candle, and he ceased to be a man who could utter speech. He stood stock-sdll with his gaze fixed upon Elaine. The nine house-maids looked at the young couple with many sympathetic though respectful sighings, and the seven foot- men looked comprehensively at the nine house-maids. Sir Godfrey smiled, and very kindly. "Ah, well," he said, •' once I — but tush ! You're a brave lad, and I knew your father well. I'll consent, of course. But if you don't mind, I'll give you rather a quick blessing this evening. 'Tis growing colder. Come here, Elaine. Come here, sir. There ! Now, I hate delay in these matters. You shall be married to-morrow. Hey? What? You don't object I suppose? Then why did you jump? To-morrow, Christmas Day, and every church-bell in the county shall ring three times more than usual. Once for the holy Feast, and may the Lord bless it always ! and once for my girl's wedding. And once for the death and destruction of the Dragon of Wantley." " Hurrah !" said the united household. "We'll have a nuptials that shall be the talk of our grand- I 1 8' THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. children's children, and after them. We'll have all the people to see. And we'll build the biggest pile of fagots that can be cut from my timber, and the Dragon shall be chained on the top of it, and we'll cremate him like an Ancient, — only alive ! We'll cremate the monster alive !" Elaine jumped. Geoffrey jumped. The chain round the Dragon loudly clanked. '* Why — do you not find this a pleasant plan ?" asked the Baron, surprised. "It seems to me, sir," stuttered Geoffrey, beating his brains for every next word, "it seems to me a monstrous pity to destroy this Dragon so. He is a rare curiosity." " Did you expect me to clap him in a box-stall and feed him ?" inquired the Baron with scorn. "Why, no sir. But since it is I who have tracked, stalked, and taken him with the help of no other huntsman," said Geoffrey, "I make bold to think the laws of sport vest the title to him in me." "No such thing," said Sir Godfrey. "You have captured him in my cellar. I know a little law, I hope." ''The law about wild beasts in Poictiers " Geoffrey began. "What care I for your knavish and perverted foreign legalities over the sea?" snorted Sir Godfrey. "This is England. And our Common Law says you have trespassed." "My dear sir," said Geoffrey, "this wild beast came into your premises after I had marked him." "Don't dear sir me!" shouted the Baron. "Will you hear the law for what I say ? I tell you this Dragon's my dragon. Don't I remember how trespass was brought against Ralph de Coventry, over in Warwickshire ? Who did no more than you have done. And they held him. And there it was but a little pheasant his hawk had chased into another's warren — and you've chased a dragon, so the offence is greater." THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. I 1 9 "But if — " remonstrated the youth, "if a fox " " Fox me no foxes ! Here is the case of Ralph de Coventry," . repHed Sir Godfrey, looking learned, and seating himself on a barrel of beer. " Ralph pleaded before the Judge saying, ' et nous lessamus nostre faucon voler a luy,. et il le pursuy en le garrein,' — 'tis just your position, only 'twas you that pursued and not your falcon, which does not in the least distinguish the cases," "But," said Geoffrey again, "the Dragon started not on your premises." " No matter for that ; for you have pursued him into my war- ren, that is, my cellar, my enclosed cellar, where you had no business to be. And the Court told Ralph no matter 'que le feisant leva hors de le garrein, vostre faucon luy pursuy en le garrein.' So there's good sound English law, and none of your foppish oudandishries in Latin," finished the Baron, vastly delighted at being able to display the little learning that he had. For you see, very few gentlemen in those benighted days knew how to speak the beautiful language of the law so fluently as that. "And besides," continued Sir Godfrey suddenly, "there is a contract." "What contract?" asked Geoffrey. " A good and valid oae. When I said this morning that I would give my daughter to the man who brought me the Dragon alive or dead, did I say I would give him the Dragon too? So choose which you will take, for both you cannot have." At this Elaine turned pale as death, and Geoffrey stood dumb. Had anybody looked at the Dragon, it was easy to see the beast was much agitated. " Choose !" said Sir Godfrey. " 'Tis getting too cold to stay here. What ? You hesitate between my daughter and a miserable reptile? I thought the lads of France were more gallant. Come, sir ! which shall it be ? The lady or the Dragon ? I20 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. " Well," said Geoffrey, and his blood and heart stood still (and so did Elaine's, and so did another person's), "I — I — think I will choose the 1 — lady." "Hurrah!" cheered the household once more. "Oh, Lord!" said the Dragon, but nobody heard him. "Indeed!" observed Sir Godfrey. "And now we'll chain him in my bear-pit till morning, and at noon he shall be burned alive by the blazing fagots. Let us get some sleep now." The cloud of slimly-clad domestics departed with slow steps, and many a look of fear cast backward at the captured monster. "This Dragon, sir," said Geoffrey, wondering at his own voice, " will die of thirst in that pit. Bethink you how deep is his habit of drinkinof." " Ha ! I have often bethought me," retorted Sir Godfrey, roll- ing his eyes over the empty barrels. " But here ! I am a man of some heart, I hope." He seized up a bucket and ran to the hogshead containing his daughter's native cowslip wine. "There!" he observed when the bucket was pretty well filled. " Put that in to moisten his last hours." Then the Baron led the way round the Manor to the court- yard where the bear-pit was. His daughter kept pace with him not easily, for the excellent gentleman desired to be a decent distance away from the Dragon, whom young Geoffrey dragged alono- in the rear. I THARTgm <£ Leaucs much Room fofip guciTing a^^ iJbout Ch-X S they proceeded towards the bear- pit, having some distance to go, good-humour and benevolence began to rise up in the heart of Sir Godfrey. " This is a great thing !" he said to Miss Elaine. " Ha ! an important and joyful occurrence. The news of it will fly far." "Yes," the young lady replied, but without enthusiasm. "The catde will be safe now." "The catde, child! my Burgundy! Think of that!" " Yes, papa." "The people will come," continued the Baron, "from all sides to-morrow — why, it's to-morrow now !" he cried. " From all sides they will come to my house to see my Dragon. And I shall permit them to see him. They shall see him cooked alive, if they wish. It is a very proper curiosity. The brute had a wide repu- tation." To hear himself spoken of in the past tense, as we speak of the dead, was not pleasant to Sir Francis, walking behind Geoffrey on all fours. " I shall send for Father Anselm and his monks," the Baron went on. Hearing this Geoffrey started. "What need have we of them, sir?" he inquired. Father Anselm ! It was getting worse and worse. To send for 123 124 ^^"^ DRAGON OF WANTLEY. "Need of Father Anselm?" repeated Sir Godfrey. "Of course I shall need him. I want the parson to tell me how he came to change his mind and let you out." "Oh, to be sure," said Geoffrey mechanically. His thoughts were reeling helplessly together, with no one thing uppermost. " Not that I disapprove it. I have changed my own mind upon occasions. But 'twas sudden, after his bundle of sagacity about Crusades and visions of my ancestor and what not over there in the morning. Ha ! ha ! These clericals are no more consistent than another person. I'll never let the Father forget this." And the Baron chuckled, " Besides," he said, " 'tis suitable that these monks should be present at the burning. This Dragon was a curse, and curses are somewhat of a church matter." "True," said Geoffrey, for lack of a better reply, "Why, bless my soul!" shouted the Baron, suddenly wheeling round to Elaine at his side, so that the cowslip wine splashed out of the bucket he carried, " it's my girl's wedding-day too ! I had clean forgot. Bless my soul !" " Y — yes, papa," faltered Elaine, "And you, young fellow!" her father called out to Geoffrey with lusty heartiness, " You're a lucky rogue, sir," "Yes, sir," said Geoffrey, but not gayly. He was wondering how it felt to be oroino- mad. Amid his whirlinof thoughts burned the one longing to hide Elaine safe in his arms and tell her it would all come right somehow. A silence fell on the group as they walked. Even to the Baron, who was not a close observer, the present reticence of these two newly-betrothed lovers was apparent. He looked from one to the other, but in the face of neither could he see beaming any of the soft transports which he considered were traditionally appropriate to the hour. " Umph !" he exclaimed ; " it was never like this in my day." Then his thoughts went back some forty years, and his eyes mellowed from within. THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. I25 "We'll cook the Dragon first," continued the old gentleman, " and then, sir, you and my girl shall be married. Ha ! ha ! a great day for Wantley !" The Baron swung his bucket, and another jet of its contents slid out. He was growing more and more delighted with himself and his daughter and her lover and everybody in the world, "And you're a stout rogue, too, sir," he said. "Built near as well as an Englishman, I think. And that's an excellent thing in a husband." The Baron continued to talk, now and then almost falling in the snow, but not permitting such slight mishaps to interrupt his discourse, which was addressed to nobody and had a general nature, touching upon dragons, marriages. Crusades, and Burgundy. Could he have seen Geoffrey's more and more woe-begone and distracted expression, he would have concluded his future son-in-law was suffering from some sudden and momentous botlily ill. The young man drew near the Dragon. "What shall we do?" he said in a whisper. " Can I steal the keys of the pit ? Can we say the Dragon escaped?" The words came in nervous haste, wholly unlike the bold deliberateness with which the youth usually spoke. It was plain he was at the end of his wits, "Why, w^hat ails thee?" inquired Sir Francis in a calm and unmoved voice. " This is a simple matter," His tone was so quiet that Geoffrey stared in amazement. "But yonder pit!" he said. "We are ruined!" "Not at all," Sir Francis replied. "Truly thou art a deep thinker ! First a woman and now thine enemy has to assist thy distress." He put so much hatred and scorn into his tones that Geoffrey flamed up. "Take care!" he muttered angrily. "That's right!" the prisoner said, laughing dryly. "Draw thy sword and split our secret open. It will be a fine wedding-day thou'lt have then. Our way out of this is plain enough. Did not 126 THE DRAGON OF IVANTLEY. the Baron say that Father Anselm was to be present at the burn- ing? He shall be present." "Yes," said the youth, "But how to get out of the pit? And how can there be a dragon to burn if thou art to be Father Anselm ? And how " he stopped. "I am full of pity for thy brains," said Sir Francis. "Here's the pit!" said the voice of Sir Godfrey. "Bring him along." " Hark !" said Sir Francis to Geoffrey. " Thou must go to Oysterde-Main with a message. Darest thou go alone ?" " If I dare ?" retorted Geoffrey, proudly. " It is well. Come to the pit when the Baron is safe in the house." Now they were at the iron door. Here the ground was on a level with the bottom of the pit, but sloped steeply up to the top of its walls elsewhere, so that one could look down inside. The Baron unlocked the door and entered with his cowslip wine, which (not being a very potent decoction) began to be covered with threads of ice as soon as it was set down. The nieht was orow- ing more bitter as its frosty hours wore on ; for the storm was departed, and the wind fallen to silence, and the immense sky clean and cold with the shiverinof flitter of the stars. Then Geoffrey led the Dragon into the pit. This was a rude and desolate hole, and its furniture of that extreme simplicity com- mon to bear-pits in those barbarous times. From the middle of the stone floor rose the trunk of a tree, ragged with lopped boughs and at its top forking into sundry limbs possible to sit among. An iron trough was there near a heap of stale greasy straw, and both were shapeless white lumps beneath the snow. The chiselled and cemented walls rose round in a circle and showed no crevice for the nails of either man or bear to climb by. Many times had Orlando Crumb and Furioso Bun observed this with sadness, and THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 12/ now Sir Francis observed it also. He took into his chest a big swallow of air, and drove it out again between his teeth with a weary hissing. "I will return at once," Geoffrey whispered as he was leaving. Then the door was shut to, and Sir Francis heard the lock o-rindino- as the key was turned. Then he heard the Baron speak- ing to Geoffrey. "I shall take this key away," he said; "there's no telling what wanderino- fool mieht let the monster out. And now there's but little time before dawn. Elaine, child, go to your bed. This excitement has plainly tired you. I cannot have my girl look like that when she's a bride to-day. And you too, sir," he added, sur- veying Geoffrey, "look a trifle out of sorts. Well, I am not surprised. A dragon is no joke. Come to my study." And he took Geoffrey's arm. "Oh, no!" said the youth. "I cannot. I — I must change my dress." "Pooh, sir! I shall send to the tavern for your kit. Come to my study. You are pale. We'll have a litde something hot. Aha! Something hot!" " But I think " Geoffrey began. "Tush!" said the Baron. "You shall help me with the wedding invitations." "Sir!" said Geoffrey haughtily, "I know nothing of wridng and such low habits." "Why no more do I, of course," replied Sir Godfrey; " nor- would I suspect you or any good gendeman of the practice, though I have made my mark upon an indenture in the presence of wit- nesses." "A man may do that with propriety," assented the youth. "But I cannot come with you now, sir. 'Tis not possible." " But I say that you shall !" cried the Baron in high good- 128 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. Sir Fpancis cleciderh io^ douxn $^cjw^ umoLir. "I can mull Malvoisle famously, and 11 presently do so for you. 'Tis to help me seal the invitations that I want you. My Chap- lain shall write them. Come." He locked Geoffrey's arm in his own, and strode quickly forward Feeling himself dragged away, Geoffrey turned his head despairingly back towards the pit. "Oh, he's safe enough in there," said Sir Godfrey. "No need to watch him." Sir Francis had listened to this conversation with rising dismay. And now he quickly threw off the crocodile hide and climbed up the tree as the bears had often done before him. It came almost to a level with the wall's rim, but the radius was too great a distance for jumping. " I should break my leg," he said, and came down the tree again, as the bears had likewise often descended. The others were now inside the house. Elaine with a sinking heart retired to her room, and her father after summoning the Rev. Hucbald took Geoffrey into his study. The Chaplain followed with a bunch of goose-quills and a large ink-horn, and seated him- self at a table, while the Baron mixed some savoury stuff, going down his private staircase into the buttery to get the spice and honey necessary. THE DRAGON OF IVANTLEY. I 29 " Here's to the health of all, and luck to-day," said the Baron ; and Geoffrey would have been quite happy if an earthquake had come and altered all plans for the morning. Still he went through the form of clinking goblets. But his heart ached, and his eyes grew hot as he sat dismal and lonely away from his girl. "Whom shall we ask to the wedding?" queried the Rev. Hucbald, rubbing his hands and looking at the pitcher in which Sir Godfrey had mixed the beverage. "Ask the whole county," said Sir Godfrey. "The more the merrier. My boy Roland will be here to-morrow. He'll find his sister has got ahead of him. Have some?" he added, holding the pitcher to the Rev. Hucbald. " I do believe I will take just a little sip," returned the divine. " Thanks ! ah — most delicious. Baron ! A marriage on Christmas Day," he added, " is — ahem ! — highly irregular. But under the unusual, indeed the truly remarkable, circumstances, I make no doubt that the Pope " " Drat him !" said Sir Godfrey ; at which the Chaplain smiled reproachfully, and shook a long transparent taper finger at his patron in a very playful manner, saying, " Baron ! now Baron !" " My boy Roland's learning to be a knight over at my uncle Mortmain's," continued Sir Godfrey, pouring Geoffrey another gob- let. "You'll like him." But Geoffrey's thoughts were breeding more anxiety in him every moment. "I'll eet the sealing-wax," observed the Baron, and w^ent to a cabinet. "This room is stifling," cried Geoffrey. "I shall burst soon, I think." "It's my mulled Malvoisie you're not accustomed to," Sir Godfrey said, as he rummaged in the cabinet. " Open the window I30 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. and get some fresh air, my lad. Now where the deuce is my family seal?" As Geoffrey opened the window, a soft piece of snow flew through the air and dropped lightly on his foot. He looked quickly and perceived a man's shadow jutting into the moonlight from an angle in the wall. Immediately he plunged out through the casement, which was not very high. '* Merciful powers !" said the Rev. Hucbald, letting fall his quill and spoiling the first invitation, " what an impulsive young man ! Why he has run clean round the corner," " 'Tis all my Malvoisie," said the Baron, hugely delighted, and hurrying to the window. "Come back when you're sober!" he shouted after Geoffrey with much mirth. Then he shut the window. "These French heads never can weather English brews," he remarked to the Chaplain. " But I'll train the boy in time. He is a rare good lad. Now, to work." Out in the snow, Geoffrey with his sword drawn came upon Hubert. "Thou mayest sheathe that knife," said the latter. " And be thy quarry ?" retorted Geoffrey. " I have come too late for that !" Hubert answered. " Thou hast been to the bear-pit, then ?" " Oh, aye !" "There's big quarry there!" observed Geoffrey, tauntingly. "Quite a royal bird." " So royal the male hawk could not bring it down by himself, I hear," Hubert replied. " Nay, there's no use in waxing wroth, friend ! My death now would clap thee in a tighter puzzle than thou art in already — and I should be able to laugh down at thee from a better world,'* he added, mimicking the priestly cadence, and looking at Geoffrey half fierce and half laughing. THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 131 He was but an apprentice at robbery and violence, and in the bottom of his heart, where some honesty still was, he liked Geoffrey well. "Time presses," he continued. "I must go. One thing thou must do. Let not that pit be opened till the monks of Oyster-le-Main come here. We shall come before noon." "I do not understand," said Geoffrey. "That's unimportant," answered Hubert. "Only play thy part. 'Tis a simple thing to keep a door shut. Fail, and the whole of us are undone. Farewell." " Nay, this is some foul trick," Geoffrey declared, and laid his hand on Hubert. But the other shook his head sadly. " Dost suppose," he said, " that we should have abstained from any trick that's known to the accumulated wisdom of man? Our sport is up." "'Tis true," Geoffrey said, musingly, "we hold all of you in the hollow of one hand." "Thou canst make a present of us to the hangman in twenty minutes if thou choosest," said Hubert. "Though 'twould put me in quite as evil case." 132 THE DRAGON OF WANT LEY. "Ho! what's the loss of a woman compared with death?" Hubert exclaimed. "Thou'lt know some day," the young knight said, eying Hubert with a certain pity; "that is, if ever thou art lucky to love truly." •'And is it so much as that?" murmured Hubert wistfully. " 'Twas good fortune for thee and thy sweetheart I did not return to look for my master while he was being taken to the pit," he continued ; " we could have stopped all your mouths till the Day of Judgment at least." '• Wouldst thou have slain a girl ?" asked Geoffrey, stepping back. " Not I, indeed ! But for my master I would not be so sure. And he says I'll come as far as that in time," added the appren- tice with a shade of bitterness. "Thou art a singular villain," said Geoffrey, "and wonderfully frank spoken." "And so thou'rt to be married," Hubert said gently. " By this next noon, if all goes well !" exclaimed the lover with ardour. " Heigho !" sighed Hubert, turning to go, "'twill be a merry Christmas for somebody." " Give me thy hand," cried Geoffrey, feeling universally hearty. " No," replied the freebooter ; " what meaning would there be in that? I would sever thy jugular vein in a moment if that would mend the broken fortunes of my chief. Farewell, however. Good luck attend thee." The eyes of both young men met, and without unkindness in them. "But I am satisfied with my calling," Hubert asserted, repudi- ating some thought that he imagined was lurking in Geoffrey's look. "Quite content! It's very dull to be respectable. Look! the dawn will discover us." THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. I 33 "But this plan?" cried Geoffrey, hastening after him; "I know nothing." "Thou needest know nothing. Keep the door of the pit shut. Farewell." And Geoffrey found himself watching the black form of Hubert dwindle against the white rises of the ground. He walked towards the tavern in miserable uncertainty, for the brief gust of elation had passed from his heart. Then he returned irresolute, and looked into the pit. There was Sir Francis, dressed in the crocodile. "Come in, come in, young fellow! Ha! ha! how's thy head?" The Baron was at the window, calling out and beckoning with vigour. Geoffrey returned to the study. There was no help for it. "We have written fifty-nine already!" said the Rev. Hucbald. But the youth cast a dull eye upon the growing heap, and sealed them very badly. What pleasure was it to send out invita- tions to his own wedding that might never be coming off? As for Hubert out in the night, he walked slowly through the wide white country. And as he went across the cold fields and saw how the stars were paling out, and cast long looks at the moon setting across the smooth snow, the lad's eyes filled so that the moon twinkled and shot rays askew in his sight. He thought how the good times of Oyster-le-Main were ended, and he thought of Miss Elaine so far beyond the reach of such as he, and it seemed to him that he was outside the comfortable world. |hapter^ CThe |Cffeat White ^Cti rift mas at Want ley- OW are all the people long awake and out of their beds. Wantley Manor is stirring busily in each quarter of the house and court, and the whole county likewise is agog. By seven o'clock this morn- ing it was noised in every thatched cottage and in every gabled hall that the great Dragon had been captured. Some said by Saint George in person, who appeared riding upon a miraculous white horse and speaking a tongue that nobody could understand, where- fore it was held to be the language common in Paradise. Some declared Saint George had nothing to do with it, and that this was the pious achievement of Father Anselm. Others were sure Miss Elaine had fulfilled the legend and conquered the monster entirely by herself. One or two, hearing the event had taken place in Sir Godfrey's wine-cellar, said they thought the Baron had done it, — and were immediately set down as persons of unsound mind. But nobody mentioned Geoffrey at all, until the Baron's invitations, requesting the honour of various people's presence at the marriage of his daughter Elaine to that young man, were received ; and that was about ten o'clock, the ceremony being named for twelve that day in the family chapel. Sir Godfrey intended the burning of the Dragon to take place not one minute later than half-past eleven. Accordingly, besides the invitation to the chapel, all friends and neighbours whose position in the county or whose intimacy with 137 138 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. the family entitled them to a recognition less formal and more personal, received a second card which ran as follows : " Sir God- frey Disseisin at home Wednesday morning, December the twenty- fifth, from half after eleven until the following day. Dancing ; also a Dragon will be roasted. R. S. V. P." The Disseisin crest with its spirited motto, "Saute qui peult," originated by the venerable Primer Disseisin, followed by his son Tortious Disseisin, and borne with so much renown in and out of a hundred batdes by a thou- sand subsequent Disseisins, ornamented the top left-hand corner. "I think we shall have but few refusals," said the Rev. Hucbald to Sir Godfrey. " Not many will be prevented by previous engage- ments, I opine." And the Chaplain smiled benignly, rubbing his hands. He had published the banns of matrimony three times in a lump before breakfast. " Which is rather unusual," he said ; " but under the circumstances we shall easily obtain a dispensation." "In providing such an entertainment for the county as this will be," remarked the Baron, "I feel I have performed my duty towards society for some time to come. No one has had a dragon at a private house before me, I believe," "Oh surely not," simpered the sleek Hucbald. "Not even Lady Jumping Jack." " Fiddle !" grunted the Baron. " She indeed ! Fandangoes !" " She's very pious," protested the Rev. Hucbald, whom the lady sometimes asked to fish lunches in Lent. " Fandangoes !" repeated the Baron. He had once known her exceedingly well, but she pursued variety at all expense, even his. As for refusals, the Chaplain was quite right. There were none. Nobody had a previous engagement — or kept it, if they had. " Good gracious, Rupert !" (or Cecil, or Chandos, as it might be,) each dame in the county had exclaimed to her lord on opening the envelope brought by private hand from Wandey, "we're asked to the Disseisins to see a dragon, — and his dauq^hter married." TIfE DRAGON OF ll'ANTLEY. I 39 "By heaven, Muriel, we'll go!" the gentleman invariably replied, under the impression that Elaine was to marry the Dragon, which would be a show worth seeing. The answers came tlying back to Wantley every minute or two, most of them written in such haste that you could only guess they were acceptances. And those indi- viduals who lived so far away across the county that the invitations reached them too late to be answered, immediately rang every bell in the house and ordered the carriage in frantic tones. Of coicrse nobody kept any engagement. Sir Guy Vol-au-Vent (and none but a most abandoned desperado or advanced thinker would be willing to do such a thing on Christmas) had accepted an invitation to an ambush at three for the slaying of Sir Percy de Resistance. But the ambush was put off till a more convenient day. Sir Thomas de Brie had been going to spend his Christmas at a cock-fight in the Count de Gorgonzola's barn. But he remarked to his man Edward, who brought the trap to the door, that the Count de Gorgonzola might go Never mind what he remarked. It was not nice ; though oddly enough it was exactly the same remark that the Count had made about Sir Thomas on telling his own man James to drive to Wantley and drop the cock-fight. All these gendemen, as soon as they heard the great news, started for the Manor with the utmost speed. Nor was it the quality alone who were so unanimous in their feelings. The Tenantry (to whom Sir Godfrey had extended a very hospitable bidding to come and they should find standing- room and good meat and beer in the court-yard) went nearly mad. From every quarter of the horizon they came plunging and ploughing along. The sun blazed down out of a sky whence a universal radiance seemed to beat upon the blinding white. Could you have mounted up bird-fashion over the country, you would have seen the Manor like the centre of some great wheel, with narrow tracks pointing in to it from the invisible rim of a circle, 140 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. Thomas de Brie hartens to accept Inuitation^T^ paths wide and narrow, con- verging at the gate, trodden across the new snow from anywhere and everywhere ; and moving aloncr these Hke ants, all the inhabitants for miles around. And through the wide splendour of win- ter no wind blowing, but the sound of chiminor bells far and near, clear frozen drops of music in the brit- tle air. Old Gaffer Piers, the ploughman, stumped along, "pretty well for eighty, thanky," as he somewhat snappishly answered to the neighbours who out- walked him on the road. They would get there first. " Wonderful old man," they said as they went on their way, and quickly resumed their speculations upon the Dragon's capture. Farmer John Stiles came driving his ox-team and snuffling, for it was pretty cold, and his handkerchief at home. Upon his wagon on every part, like swallows, hung as many of his relations as could get on. His mother, who had been Lucy Baker, and grand- mother Cecilia Kempe, and a litter of cousin Thorpes. But his step-father Lewis Gay and the children of the half-blood were THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 141 not asked to ride ; farmer Stiles had bitterly resented the second marriage. This family knew all the particulars concerning the Dragon, for they had them from the cook's second cousin who was courting Bridget Stiles. They knew how Saint George had waked Father Anselm up and put him on a white horse, and how the Abbot had thus been able to catch the Dragon by his tail in the air just as he was flying away with Miss Elaine, and how at that the white horse had turned into a young man who had been bewitched by the Dragon, and was going to marry Miss Elaine immediately. On the front steps, shaking hands with each person who came, was Sir Godfrey. He had dressed himself excellendy for the occa- sion ; something between a heavy father and an old beau, with a beautiful part down the back of his head where the hair was. Geoffrey stood beside him. " My son-in-law that's to be," Sir Godfrey would say. And the gentry welcomed the young man, while the tenants bobbed him respectful salutations. " You're one of us. Glad to know you," said Sir Thomas de Brie, surveying the lad with approval. Lady Jumping Jack held his hand for a vanishing moment you could hardly make sure of. " I had made up my mind to hate you for robbing me of my dearest girl," she said, smiling gayly, and fixing him with her odd-looking eyes. " But I see we're to be friends." Then she murmured a choice nothing to the Baron, who snarled politely. " Don't let her play you," said he to Geoffrey when the lady had moved on. And he tapped the youth's shoulder familiarly. " Oh I've been through all that sort of thing over in Poictiers," Geoffrey answered with indifference. "You're a rogue, sir, as I've told you before. Ha! Uncle Mortmain, how d'ye do? Yes, this is Geoffrey. Where's my boy 142 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. Roland? Coming, is he? Well, he had better look sharp. It's after eleven, and I'll wait for nobody. How d'ye do, John Stiles? That bull you sold me 's costing thirty shillings a year in fences. You'll find something ready down by those tables, I think." Hark to that roar ! The crowd jostled together in the court- yard, for it sounded terribly close. "The Dragon's quite safe in the pit, good people," shouted Sir Godfrey. "A few more minutes and you'll all see him." The old ofentleman continued welcominof the new arrivals, chat- ting heartily, with a joke for this one and a kind inquiry for the other. But wretched Geoffrey ! So the Dragon was to be seen in a few minutes ! And where were the monks of Oyster-le-Main ? Still, a bold face must be kept. He was thankful that Elaine, after the custom of brides, was invisible. The youth's left hand rested upon the hilt of his sword ; he was in rich attire, and the curly hair that surrounded his forehead had been carefully groomed. Half-way up the stone steps as he stood, his blue eyes watching keenly for the monks, he was a figure that made many a humble nymph turn tender glances upon him. Old Piers, the ploughman, remained beside a barrel of runningf ale and drank his health all day. For he was a wonderful old man. Hither and thither the domestics scurried swiftly, making prepa- rations. Some were cooking rare pasties of grouse and ptarmigan, goslings and dough-birds ; some were setting great tables in-doors and out ; and some were piling fagots for the Dragon's funeral pyre. Popham, with magnificent solemnity and a pair of new calves, gave orders to Meeson and Welsby, and kept little Whelp- dale panting for breath with errands ; while in and out, between everybody's legs, and over or under all obstacles, stalked the two ravens Croak James and Croak Elizabeth, a big white wedding- favour tied round the neck of each. To see these grave birds, none would have suspected how frequently they had been in the THE DRAGON OF IVANTLEY. ^43 mince-pies that morning, though Popham had expressly ruled (in somewhat stilted language) that they should " take nothink by their bills." " Geoffrey," said the Baron, " I think we'll begin. Popham, tell them to light that fire there." " The guests are still coming, sir," said Geoffrey. " No matter. It is half after eleven." The Baron showed his sun-dial, and there was no doubt of it. " Here, take the keys," he said, "and bring the monster out for us." " I'll go and put on my armour," suggested the young man. That would take time ; perhaps the monks might arrive. " Why the brute's chained. You need no armour. Nonsense !" " But think of my clothes in that pit, sir,— on my wedding-day." '• Pooh ! That's the first sign of a Frenchman I've seen in you. Take the keys, sir." The crackle of the kindling fagots came to Geoffrey's ears. He saw the forty men with chains that were to haul the Dragon into the fire. "But there's Father Anselm yet to come," he protested. "Surely we wait for him." " I'll wait for nobody. He with his Crusades and rubbish ! Haven't I got this Dragon, and there's no Crusade ? — Ah, Cousin Modus, glad you could come over. Just in time. The sherry's to 144 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. your left. Yes, it's a very fine day. Yes, yes, this is Geoffrey my girl's to marry and all that. — What do I care about Father Anselm ?" the old gentleman resumed testily, when his cousin Modus had shuffled off. " Come, sir." He gave the keys into Geoffrey's unwilling hand, and ordered silence proclaimed. " Hearken, good friends !" said he, and all talk and going to and fro ceased. The tenantry stood down in the court-yard, a mass of motionless russet and yellow, every face watching the Baron. The gentry swarmed noiselessly out upon the steps behind him, their handsome dresses britrht against the Manor walls. There was a short pause. Old Gaffer Piers made a slight disturbance falling over with his cup of ale, but was quickly set on his feet by his neighbours. The sun blazed down, and the growling of the Dragon came from the pit. "Yonder noise," pursued Sir Godfrey, "speaks more to the point than I could. I'll give you no speech." All loudly cheered at this. " Don't you think," whispered the Rev. Hucbald in the Baron's ear, " that a little something serious should be said on such an occasion? I should like our brethren to be reminded " " Fudge !" said the Baron. "For thirteen years," he continued, raising his voice again, " this Dragon has been speaking for him- self. You all know and I know how that has been. And now we are going to speak for ourselves. And when he is on top of that fire he'll know how that is. Geoffrey, open the pit and get him out." Again there was a cheer, but a short one, for the spell of expectancy was on all. The young man descended into the court, and the air seemed to turn to a wavering mist as he looked up at the Manor windows seeking to spy Elaine's face at one of them. Was this to be the end ? Could he kiss her one last good-by if THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 1 45 disaster was in store for them after all ? Alas ! no glimpse of her was to be seen as he moved along, hardly aware of his own steps, and the keys jingling lightly as he moved. Through the crowd he passed, and a whispering ran in his wake followed by deeper silence than before. He reached the edge of the people and crossed the open space beyond, passing the leaping blaze of the fagots, and so drew near the iron door of the pit. The key went slowly into the lock. All shrank with dismay at the roar which rent the air. Geoffrey paused with his hand gripping the key, and there came a sound of solemn singing over the fields. "The monks!" murmured a few under their breath; and silence fell again, each listening. Men's voices it was, and their chanting rose by one sudden step to a high note that was held for a moment, and then sank again, mellow like the harmony of horns in a wood. Then over the ridge from Oyster-le-Main the length of a slow procession began to grow. The gray gowns hung to the earth straight with scarce any waving as the men walked. The heavy hoods reached over each face so there was no telling its features. None in the court-yard spoke at all, as the brooding figures passed in under the gateway and proceeded to the door of the bear-pit, singing always. Howlings that seemed born of terror now rose from the imprisoned monster; and many thought, "evidently the evil beast cannot endure the sound of holy words." Elaine in her white dress now gazed from an upper window, seeing her lover with his enemies drawing continually closer around him. Perhaps it was well for him that his death alone would not have served to lock their secret up again ; that the white maiden in the window is ready to speak the word and direct instant ven- geance on them and their dragon if any ill befall that young man who stands by the iron door. 146 THE DRAGON OF WANT LEY. The song of the monks ended. Sir Godfrey on the steps was wondering why Father Anselm did not stand out from the rest of the gray people and explain his wishes. "Though he shall not interrupt the sport, whatever he says," thought the Baron, and cast on the group of holy men a less hospitable eye than had beamed on his other guests. Geoffrey over at the iron door, surrounded by the motionless figures, scanned each hood narrowly and soon met the familiar eyes of Hubert. Hubert's gown, he noticed, bulged out in a manner ungainly and mysterious. " Open the door," whispered that youth. At once Geoffrey began to turn the key. And at its grinding all held their breath, and a quivering silence hung over the court. The hasty drops pattered down from the eaves from the snow that was melting on the roof Then some strip of metal inside the lock sprung suddenly, making a sharp song, and ceased. The crowd of monks pressed closer together as the iron door swung open. What did Geoffrey see? None but the monks could tell. In- stantly a single roar more terrible than any burst out, and the huge horrible black head and jaws of the monster reared into the view of Sir Godfrey and his guests. One instant the fearful vision in the door-way swayed with a stiff strange movement over the knot of monks that surrounded it, then sank out of sight among them. There was a sound of jerking and fierce clanking of chains, mingled with loud chanting of pious sentences. Then a plume of spitting flame flared upward with a mighty roar, and the gray figures scattered right and left. There along the ground lay the monster, shrivelled, twisted in dismal coils, and dead. Close beside his black body towered Father Anselm, smoothing the folds of his gray gown. Geoffrey was sheathing his sword and looking at Hubert, whose dress bulged out no longer, but fitted him as usual. "We have been vouchsafed a miracle," said Father Anselm quietly, to the gaping spectators. THE DRAGON OF IVANTLEY. "There'll be no burning," said Geoffrey, pointing to the shrunken skin. But though he spoke so coolly, and repelled all besieging disturbance from the fortress of his calm visage and bearing, as a bold and haughty youth should do, yet he could scarcely hold his finger steady as it pointed to the blackened carcase. Then all at once his eyes met those of Elaine where she watched from her window, and relief and joy rushed through him. He stretched his arms towards her, not caring who saw, and the look she sent him with a smile drove all sur- rounding things to an immeasurable distance away. " Here indeed," Father Anselm repeated. " is a miracle. Lo, the empty shell ! The snake hath shed his skin." 148 THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. "This is very disappointing," said Sir Godfrey, bewildered. "Is there no drao^on to roast?" "The roasting," replied the Abbot impressively, "is even now begun for all eternity." He stretched out an arm and pointed downward through the earth. " The evil spirit has fled. The Church hath taken this matter into her own hands, and claims yon barren hide as a relic." "Well, — I don't see why the Church can't let good sport alone," retorted Sir Godfrey. " Hope she'll not take to breaking up my cock-fights this way," muttered the Count de Gorgonzola, sulkily. "The Church cares nothing for such profane frivolities," ob- served Father Anselm with cold dignity. "At all events, friends," said Sir Godfrey, cheering up, "the country is rid of the Dragon of Wantley, and we've got a wedding and a breakfast left." Just at this moment a young horseman rode furiously into the court-yard. It was Roland, Sir Godfrey's son. " Great news !" he began at once. " Another Crusade has been declared — and I am going. Merry Christmas! Where's Elaine? Where's the Dragon?" Father Anselm's quick brain seized this chance. He and his monks should make a more stately exit than he had planned. " See," he said in a clear voice to his monks, " how all is comino- true that was revealed to me this night! My son," he continued, turning to young Roland, " thy brave resolve reached me ere thou hadst made it. Know it has been through thee that the Dragon has gone !" Upon this there was profound silence. "And now," he added solemnly, "farewell. The monks of Oyster-le-Main go hence to the Holy Land also, to battle for the true Faith. Behold! we have made us ready to meet the toil." THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. 149 His haughty tones ceased, and he made a sign. The gray gowns fell to the snow, and revealed a stalwart, fierce-lookine crew in black armour. But the Abbot kept his gray gown. " You'll stay for the wedding ?" inquired Sir Godfrey of him. " Our duty lies to the sea. Farewell, for I shall never see thy face again." He turned. Hubert gathered up the hide of the crocodile and threw a friendly glance back at Geoffrey. Then again raisino- their song, the black band slowly marched out under the gate and away over the snow until the ridge hid them from sight, and only their singing could be heard in the distant fields. " Well," exclaimed Sir Godfrey, " it's no use to stand staring. Now for the wedding ! Misdetoe, go up and tell Miss Elaine. Hucbald, tell the organist to pipe up his music. And as soon as it's over we'll drink the bride's health and health to the bride- groom. 'Tis a lucky thing that between us all the Dragon is gone, for there's still enough of my Burgundy to last us till midnight. Come, friends, come in, for everything waits your pleasure !" LOAN DEPT. *>,P last date stamped below, or 25?Jlar'61L0l. ^HxriTLD^acT 6 '64-8 PM IN STACKS d' JUMSTO -3PM 19 REC'D LD LD 2lA-50w-12,'60 (B&221slO)47(.B General Library . Berkeley TU ('ihbil WBi 186 L THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY