Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Escape

You tell me to run now, I will try my best to do the impossible. And can do it. as soon as you move, I will go with you with a burning heart, To do things I don't know how to do. "Julian.Caesar Although joy, fear, doubt, anxiety, and other passions mingled in the young man's mind, the night before had been so exhausting that he slept soundly, and did not open his eyes till late next day.At this time, his venerable master came in, with a disturbed expression on his brow. Sitting at the bedside of his guests, he had a long and complex discussion about the responsibilities of a married man in domestic affairs, and especially the power and advantage a married man must maintain in case of disagreement with his wife.Quentin listened to him with some anxiety, for he knew that husbands, like other militants, sometimes like to sing a song of victory to the Lord to cover up their failures instead of celebrating their own. victory.He hurriedly decided to find out more carefully to see what was going on, and said: I hope our arrival will not cause trouble to the kind hostess.

cause trouble!No, no, replied the Mayor, no woman could be so hospitable and always ready to receive a visitor as Mama Mabel.She was always happy to see her friends coming, to have clean bedrooms for them, to cook good meals, and to eat and sleep with the blessing of God.There is no other woman in the world who is so hospitable and hospitable.The fly in the ointment is that her temper is a bit special. All in all, is our living here making her unhappy?said the Scotchman, and sprang from the bed, and dressed hastily, as long as I am sure that Miss Isabel has recovered from the terror of last night, and is ready to go, we shall not linger a moment longer to trouble you.

Don't say that, said Pavillon, as the lady herself said to Mabel Mabel.I wish you could have seen the flush on her face when she spoke. The girl who ice-skates in the cold and goes to the market to sell milk is not as rosy as her face.I think my dear wife, Mama Mabel, might be a little jealous. Has Miss Isabel left the bedroom?asked the young man, continuing his wash more quickly. Yes, replied Pavillon, and she is impatiently waiting for you to see her, to decide which way you will go, since you are both determined to go.But I suppose you'll always finish your breakfast before you leave?

Why didn't you tell me earlier?Darwilt said unhappily. Don't worry, don't worry, the chairman of the guild said, look at you so flustered.I should have told you so sooner.If you have the patience to listen to me, I have something else I want to whisper to you. Honorable sir, speak as soon as possible.I'm all ears. Well, then, continued the Mayor, I just want to tell you that my Trudjean regards that pretty lady as her own sister, and hates to part with her.She asks you to put on disguises, for there are rumors in the town that two Croyet ladies are traveling in pilgrimage garb, accompanied by a French and Scotch Guardsman.It is said that one of the ladies was taken into Thornwaldburg by a bohemian after our departure last night.This bohemian is to William.Delamach denounced that you had brought no news to him, nor to the citizens of Liege, but that you had kidnapped the young countess, made her your mistress, and taken her away.These words came this morning from Thornwaldburg.Me and some of my colleagues have heard about it.They didn't know what to give me.Although we all think William.Delamach has gone a little too far with the bishop and us, but it is believed that he is a good man at heart, that is, when he is sober, and he is the only leader in the world who can lead us against the Duke of Burgundy.To tell you the truth, as things stand, I myself think we have to get on good terms with him, because we've gone too far to back off.

Your daughter's suggestion is great.Quentin said.He did not want any reproach or counsel against him, for he knew that none of these could shake the venerable mayor from the prejudices of his companions and the will of his wife.Your daughter's advice is good. We've got to dress up, and we've got to go right away.I suppose we can rely on you to keep us the necessary secrets and provide us with a means of escape? Not a problem, not a problem.said the honest citizen.Since he was not very satisfied with his indecent behavior, he also wanted to find some way to express his apology.I can't forget you saved my life last night.One is to untie the damn armor for me, and the other is to help me get through the worse predicament.The wild boar and his filth were more devil than man then.So I will be as true to you as the handle of a knife is to the blade, as our world's best swordsmiths say.When you're ready, just follow me.You will see what I can do for you.

The chairman of the guild led him from his bedroom to the accounting room where he handled business.He bolted the door, looked around carefully and keenly, and opened a vaulted dark room behind the tapestry.There are several iron cabinets hidden inside.He opened one of the chests full of coins, and let Quentin withdraw the money he and his lady companion had to spend on the journey. Quentin had almost spent all the money he received when he left Plessy, so he took two hundred guilders without hesitation.Only in this way did Bavion feel less guilty.He regarded this initiative to help guests as compensation for his violation of the principle of keeping guests, and according to various considerations, he had to do so to a large extent.

After carefully locking up his treasure chest, the venerable Flemish led his guests into the drawing room.In the living room Quentin saw that the countess had been dressed as a Flemish girl from a well-to-do family.Although she was still a little pale from the effects of last night's encounter, her body and spirit seemed to be alive and well.Trudjean, alone in the drawing room, helped the countess with every detail and taught her the poses to match her attire.The Countess offered Quentin her hand.When he had respectfully kissed her hand, she said to him: Mr. Quentin, we must leave our friends here, or I will pass on to them part of the misfortune which has followed me since my father's death.If you are not weary of helping an unfortunate man, put on your clothes and follow me.

I!I'd hate being your follower? !No, even if you go to the ends of the earth, I will follow you and protect you!However, do you do this body bear it?After last night's horror, are you still able to Don't make me think of those things again, said the countess; I only remember something vague and nightmare.Has the good bishop escaped? I think he should be free.Quentin said.Seeing that Pavilion seemed to be about to relate the horror, he gave him a hasty wink to keep silent. can we go to himDid he gather some men?the girl asked. He hoped only in Heaven, replied the Scot, but I shall stand by your side wherever you go as your faithful guide and bodyguard.

Let's think about it!Isabelle said.After a pause she added: I'd better go to a convent.But I'm worried that the monastery won't be able to stop people who want to persecute me. snort!snort!The chairman of the guild said, I don't approve of you going to any monastery in the Liege area, because the Ardennes boar is generally a brave leader, a reliable ally, and has good intentions for the city of Liege, but he has a bad temper. Rough, with little regard for monasteries, convents, convents, etc.People say that there are always one or twenty nuns, I mean nuns and the like, marching with his troops.

Mr. Darwilt, you are ready to go at once.Isabelle interrupted him to say that all I can rely on is your loyalty. As soon as Quentin and the chairman of the guild came out of the room, Isabel asked Trudjan in detail about roads and so on; she was so clear-headed and asked so well that the daughter of the chairman of the guild cried out: Miss, I really admire you!I've heard people talk about the firmness of men.But in my opinion, your firmness surpasses that of ordinary people. Forced, replied Isabel, my friend, circumstances force man to invent and force man to develop courage.Not too long ago, I would pass out seeing a small wound bleed.But now I have seen blood flow around me, so to speak, but I still keep my composure and clear head.Don't think it will be easy.She put a trembling hand on Trudjean's arm, and continued, still in a firm voice, "My inner world is like a castle surrounded by thousands of enemies, and only the strongest Immediately resist the attacks of enemies from all sides.If I hadn't been better off, if I hadn't realized that my only chance of escaping a fate worse than death lay in staying sane and calm, Trud, Jane, I'd throw myself into your arms right away, and let my broken heart rest in peace. Rain of tears poured out grief and fear to relieve my heart that was about to burst!

Don't, miss, said the sympathetic Flanders girl, take courage, pray more, and entrust yourselves to God's protection!Seriously, if God sent messengers to save dying men, then that brave young gentleman must have been sent to save you.I have a love too, she's flushed with shame, don't you tell my father, I've told my Hans.Glover is waiting for you at the east gate, and tells him that he will never see me again until he brings you a letter saying that he has led you out of this place safely. The young Countess could only express her gratitude to the frank and kind city girl by kissing her.The girl embraced her affectionately, too, and added, smiling: Well, the world would be a very different place if two maidens and their faithful knights couldn't make an escape in masquerade. Part of this sentence brought a blush to the countess's pale face, and the shyness was only aggravated by Quentin's sudden appearance.He was dressed like a dandy, in a Flemish dress.It was something Peter was more than willing to share with the young Scot as a token of his affection for the young Scot.He also assured that if they had tanned him harder than the hide, they would not have found anything that would have exposed the two young men.Mother Mabel was busy finding two strong horses.In fact, she had no malice towards the countess and her entourage.She just wanted to keep her home safe from the dangers of harboring them.It was a great satisfaction to her to see them mount and set off.Before that, she had told them that Peter would lead them in the direction of the east gate, but he would not greet them visibly, so they had to keep an eye on him. Once the guests were gone, Mama Mabel took the opportunity to give Trudjan a long, practical sermon on the folly of reading romance novels.She said that the result of reading these novels was that the vain ladies of the court, instead of honestly learning about housework, rode about the nations on horseback in the company of a dull squire, a dissolute servant, or some rambunctious foreign archer, so that It has greatly endangered their health, consumed their resources, and irreparably damaged their reputation. Gertrude listened quietly, without answering.However, given her character, it is doubtful whether she could draw from it the practical conclusions her mother expected her to draw. Let us go back and look at the two travelers who went out.They walked through the crowd to the east gate.Fortunately, people were too busy discussing current events and rumours to notice this pair of rather ordinary-looking young men.They relied on the pass that Baavion obtained for them in the name of his colleague Luslar, passed through the guard post of the city, and then met Peter.Geisler exchanged good wishes briefly and kindly, saying farewell.They had not gone far before they saw a strong young man riding towards them on a gray horse.He immediately introduced himself as Trude Jane.Hans the Knight of Baveon.Glover.The young man had a handsome Flemish face; though not extremely intelligent, he gave the impression of being cheerful and cheerful, without being too quick-witted.But, in the countess's unavoidable opinion, he seemed a little less knightly to the generous Trude.It seemed that he was eager to show that he very much approved of his girlfriend's affection for their arms.He saluted them politely, and then asked the countess in Flemish which way she would like him to lead. Take me to some city nearest the Brabant frontier.she said. So, you've decided on your destination?Quentin rode ahead and walked side by side with Isabel, asking in French that the guide did not understand. Yes, replied the young lady, because, being in such a state as I am, I cannot go on as I am, even if the final destination is a dreadful prison, because it would be very bad for me. prison!cried Quentin. Yes, my friend, it is prison.But I'll take care that you don't end up in jail too. Don't talk about me, don't think about me, Quentin said, I just want to see that you are safe and sound, and my own affairs are not worth worrying about. Don't say it so loudly, said Miss Isabel, you will make the guide bewildered. You see he has ridden ahead of us.Indeed, the good Flemish, following the principle of doing unto others as he would have them do unto others, as soon as he saw Quentin approaching the lady, left them alone together, so as not to be bound by the presence of a third party.Yes, she went on, seeing that the guides were not paying attention to them, to you, my friend and protector, since God intended you to be my friend and protector, why should I be ashamed to call you that?It is my duty to say frankly that I have made up my mind to return to my native land and beg the pardon of the Duke of Burgundy.It was under the influence of a well-meaning false advice that I escaped from his protection, and ran to that of the treacherous King Louis. So you've decided to marry that wretched favorite of Charles's, Compo.How about Basso? Quentin asked in a tone of indifference trying to hide the pain in his heart, like a man sentenced to death who pretended to ask whether the execution order had been issued with a firm expression. No, Darwilt, no, said Mademoiselle Isabelle, straightening herself in the saddle, Burgundy, with all her strength, would not have expected to subject Croyet's daughter to such a hateful condition.Burgundy can confiscate my lands and fiefs, or imprison me in a monastery.Still, I guess that's the best he can do.But I would rather endure a worse experience than marry Kang Bo.basso. That's the best it can be!Says Quentin, what could be worse than plunder and imprisonment?Well, think about it while you're still breathing the free air of God, and while you've got a protector by your side.I would risk my life to escort you to England, Germany, or even Scotland.In each of these countries you can find people who will give you generous protection.That being the case, you should not make a rash decision to give up the best thing God has given to people, freedom.One of our Scottish poets sang it well: Freedom is a beautiful thing, Freedom makes man feel for life, Liberty spices up pleasure, Those who live freely live most comfortably. Sorrow, disease, poverty and greed, can be summed up as unfree slavery. She listened with a sad smile to his guide's praise of freedom.After a while she replied: freedom is only for men.But women always have to seek a protector because they are inherently incapable of protecting themselves.Where can I find a protector?At the court of the voluptuous Edward in England?In the palace of drunken Wencelaus in Germany?In Scotland?Oh, Darwilt, if only I were your sister, you would promise to find me a shelter in some Scotch valley you were fond of telling me about, and I might depend on charity or what I saved Jewels, to live a quiet life, to forget what I was born to be.I wish you could assure me of some respectable local matron, or some faithful and powerful baron, to be my protector. The prospect is worth the risk of continued reproach and wandering far! Miss Isabel confided this thought in a kind, tremulous voice, which made Quentin both happy and sad.He hesitated before answering, weighing hastily the possibility of finding her refuge in Scotland.Sad facts, however, compelled him to admit that it was base and cruel to direct her along a path which he himself was powerless to ensure her safety.Miss, he said at last, I would basely trample on my honour, and break my oath of knighthood, if I let you base your plans on the assumption that I am able to protect you in Scotland.As a matter of fact, I have no other protection for you in Scotland than the meager help I can give you as I walk by your side.I'm not sure any of my relatives survived in Scotland.Innajuharit knights attacked our castle in the middle of the night and killed all the members of our family.If I were to go back to Scotland my feuds would be many and powerful, but I would be single and weak.Even if the king wanted to support me, he would not dare to offend a chief with five hundred horses in order to do justice for a poor young man. Well, said the countess, since the poor valleys, where there is not much wealth to covet, are as oppressive as our rich low plains, there is not a single corner of the world that is not oppressed. It is an unfortunate truth that I cannot deny, that our rival tribes kill each other just for the pleasure of revenge, to gratify the bloodthirst.The Scot said that Delamack and his bandits were as robber in this country as Ogilvy and his Co. were in Scotland. Then don't talk about Scotland anymore, said Isabelle with a tone of nonchalant indifference, don't talk about Scotland anymore.I was only curious to see if you would really recommend to me the most chaotic country in Europe as a place of residence.This is but a test of your sincerity, and I am glad to see that your devotion is entirely trustworthy even when it most excites your preference for Scotland.Come on, I don't think about any other protection.I resolved to seek the protection of one of the respectable noblemen of the Duke of Charles whom we first encountered. Then why don't you go to your own estate, and live in your own fortified castle, as you intended at Tours?Quentin said, Why don't you gather your father's subjects together, make a treaty with Burgundy, and submit to him instead?Surely there are many warriors willing to fight for you.I know at least one person who would willingly give his life to be an example. Well, said the countess, it was a plan of the cunning King Louis.But like all the other proposals he had made, it was chiefly his own, not mine.Because of that traitor Zamet.Maugrabbin leaked it to Burgundy, and now it doesn't work.My relatives were imprisoned by him and my house was put under guard.Any other attempt would only expose my relatives to the vengeance of the Duke of Charles.Why should I cause more bloodshed for this wretched event, which has already killed so many people?can not be like this.I must submit to my lord as a loyal subject.Anything can be obeyed as long as it does not infringe on my personal freedom of choice.Especially since I am sure that my aunt, Lady Hamelin, who first suggested, and even urged, my escape, must have taken this wise and honorable step! your aunt!Quentin said thoughtfully.By this time he had recalled things which the countess did not know.He had long since forgotten all of these by a succession of dangerous and urgent events. Yes my aunt Chloe.Ms. Hamelin, did you hear what happened to her?said Mademoiselle Isabel, I think she is now under the protection of the Burgundian monarchy.You don't talk!do you know what? This latter question was uttered in a very anxious interrogative tone.This forced Quentin to tell what he knew about the lady's current whereabouts.He mentioned that he had protected her from Liege at her call, and he had thought Mademoiselle Isabelle had fled with her.He also spoke of his accidental discovery after they reached the forest.Finally he tells how he himself returned to the castle, and the dire condition it was in at that time.But he said nothing of what Lady Hamelin was apparently going to achieve when she left Thornwald Castle, or that she had fallen to William.Rumors on the hands of Dramak.Because the matter was difficult to express, he did not even hint at the intentions that Lady Hamelin had had for him, nor did he take care of her feelings at a time when courage and strength were needed for his female companion. Reference was made to the aforementioned rumors concerning Ms. Hamelin.Besides, what he had heard was only a rumor. This introduction, although some important plots were omitted, still made a strong impression on Isabel.She rode on in silence for a while, and finally said in a tone of cold dissatisfaction: You left my unfortunate aunt like this in a wild forest, and let the wicked bohemian and a crafty Handmaid's mercy?Poor aunt, how often do you praise the young man for his devotion! If I don't, said Quentin angrily, seeing his courtship so rewarded, what will happen to the lady whom I have a more pious duty to serve?If I hadn't taken Chroyer.Lady Hamelin was placed in the care of the two men whom she had personally chosen to serve as her staff, and Miss Isabel must have become William the Ardennes boar.The Bride of Drama. You are right, said Miss Isabel calmly, that I have wronged you by being so ungrateful, while enjoying the benefits of your absolute fidelity.But what about my unfortunate aunt?You know, it's all because of that damned Marson.My aunt trusted her so much, and she wasn't trustworthy at all!It was she who put the damned Zamet and Hiradin.Mao Grabin introduced it to my aunt.The two guys blew her mind by boasting that they knew fortune-telling and astrology.It was also her attempt to confirm their prophecy that made my aunt have the illusion that I really don't know what to say about marriage and love, and this is not commensurate with her age, and it is also very unrealistic.King Louis, I believe, laid these traps for us from the first, in order to induce us to take refuge at his court, and in fact to submit us to his control.How vile, how unworthy of a king, and how unworthy of the standard of knight and gentleman, he treated us after this indiscretion!These you Quentin.Darwilt saw it with his own eyes.Anyway, my aunt, what misfortune do you think she will encounter? Although he had little hope for her future, he tried not to discourage her by replying that the group's strongest desire was money; It is hard to imagine that these two scoundrels could achieve any purpose by torturing or murdering the lady; on the contrary, they could get some benefits by being kind to her and extorting a ransom in her name. In order to relieve Miss Isabel's mind of sorrow, Quentin told her of the treacherous plan of Maugrabbin, which he had discovered that night near Namur, and said that it seemed to be the plan of the King of France and William.The result of a delamac conspiracy.Isabel shuddered with terror.After regaining her composure, she said: "I feel guilty.I even doubted the protection of the saints, and occasionally thought it possible to carry out such a cruel and infamous plan.But in fact, God's merciful eyes are always watching the misfortunes in the world.Instead of inspiring fear and hatred, such a thing should be laughed off as an absurd and base practice, because to believe that it will work is simply to disbelieve in the existence of God.Now, however, I can see clearly why Marson so often sows the seeds of idle jealousy and discord between me and my poor aunt, trying to drive a wedge between me and the other by speaking ill of the other. .But I never thought that she would make my once very good aunt abandon me and run away alone at the most critical moment of attacking Thornwald. Didn't Ms. Hamelin tell you that she was going to run away? No, replied the countess, but she said she would have Marson tell me something.To tell you the truth, my aunt had called in the damned Heldin for a long secret talk the other day, and the guy was driving her crazy with his arcane slang.So in short, I don't want to pester her to explain in her mental state.But it would be cruel to leave me alone. I don't think Ms. Hamelin meant to be so cruel, Quentin said, because of the panic and the darkness, I think Ms. Hamelin thought her niece ran out with her.To tell you the truth, at the time I saw Marson's clothes and posture, and I also mistook the two Croix ladies who ran out with me, especially her, he added in a resolute tone. Without her, all the wealth in the world would not have been able to induce me to leave Thornwald Castle. Isabel lowered her head, as if she didn't hear the emphasized part of Quentin's speech.But when he started talking about Louie's plot, she turned her face on him again.It was not difficult to see from their discussion among themselves that the two Bohemian brothers, together with Marson of their party, had been acting as spies for the treacherous king.But the older brother Zamet, influenced by the perfidious habits peculiar to his race, tried to play double-faced, and was punished for his own fault.They confide in each other, forgetting their special situation and the dangers of the journey, and they walk like this for several hours, only in Hans.Glover led them to some remote village before stopping to feed the horses.Not only did the young man avoid interrupting their conversation, but he was also thoughtful and considerate in other ways. The artificial boundary that separated the two lovers (we can call them that now, I think) also seems to have disappeared because of their current situation.The countess was of higher rank, and was entitled to a vast fortune by her noble birth, which dwarfed the penniless young man; And life depends entirely on his composure, bravery and loyalty.They didn't really talk about their mutual admiration.Although Miss Isabel is full of gratitude and trust in her heart, she is likely to forgive the other party's confession of love, but Quentin, who is influenced by natural shyness and chivalry, always finds it difficult to speak.If he had said anything that seemed to take unfair advantage of the opportunity afforded them, he would have reproached himself with taking advantage of her present position for shameful blackmail.So they avoided professing love, but both sides inevitably thought of love.So they are already in a heart-to-heart and tacit relationship, which makes them get rid of the restraint, but it is also accompanied by a feeling of uncertainty, which is really the happiest moment in life.However, such moments are often just a prelude, followed by the pain of disappointment, change of heart, lovelorn, and dashed hopes. At two o'clock in the afternoon the two exiles were astonished to hear from their white-faced guide that they were being pursued by a detachment of Delamark's black cavalry.These soldiers, or rather bandits, were originally recruited from among the lower ranks of the Germans, and in every respect resembled the German pikemen, except that they played the role of light locomotives.In order to maintain the reputation of the black cavalry and make the enemy fearful, they usually ride on black horses; their weapons and equipment, as well as their faces and hands are also smeared with black ointment.These Black Riders are equal in moral immorality and ferocity to their infantry brethren, the Lancers. Quentin turned his head and saw a cloud of dust flying down the long, level road they had traveled.One or two leading cavalry rushed ahead swiftly.He turned to his girlfriend and said: Dearest Isabel, I have only one knife left.Since I cannot fight for you, I am willing to flee with you.As long as we can get to that forest before they catch up, we can easily try to escape. That's it, my only friend.said Isabel, spurring the horse to a gallop: and you, my fellow, she turned to Hans.Glover said, go that way, and don't stay and share our misfortunes and dangers. The honest Flemish shook his head and kept saying Nein, nein! dasgehtnichts (Original note: German: No, no! This is not right.) to answer her generous advice and continue to walk with them.The three rode their weary horses as fast as they could toward the woods.Seeing them running, the chasing black cavalry accelerated their speed.Although the horses were tired, the fugitives were not tired of weapons and equipment, so they could move forward lightly.So they soon left their pursuers well behind, and were within a quarter of a mile or so of the forest.Just at this moment, they found a group of warriors led by the knight's banner and killed them from the woods, blocking their way of escape. They wore bright armor, said Isabel, and they must be Burgundians.Whoever they are, we would rather surrender to them than fall into the hands of lawless bandits who pursue us. When she saw the banner, she immediately exclaimed: I know the heart-shaped symbol on the flag!This is the banner of Count Krevig.He was a noble Burgundian.I will submit to him. Quentin.Darwilt sighed.But what else?A minute ago he had been quite sure that he could lead Isabel out, no matter how bad the situation was.If so, how wonderful it would be!Soon they came to Count Krevig's team.The countess asked to see their captain.At this time, the leader of the team ordered the team to stop in order to detect the movements of the black cavalry.He watched her with a hesitant expression.She stepped forward and said: Noble Earl, I am Chroyer.Isabel, your old comrade-in-arms Chroyer.Count Reynolds' daughter.I surrender myself to you and beg you to bravely protect me and my companions. My good niece, you can have my protection.Even a large army need not be afraid that my lord, the Duke of Burgundy, will of course be excluded.But we don't have time to talk about that right now.These nasty-looking devils stopped, and seemed to want to compete with us.By St. George of Burgundy, they dared to attack Krevig's banner!What!Can't deal with these gangsters?Damion, bring the spear to the battle flag and advance, take the spear and follow Krevig, charge! Followed by the cavalry, the count shouted and charged towards the black cavalry like thunder.