第37章

Gerard and Margaret went gaily to Sevenbergen in the first flush of recovered liberty and successful adventure.But these soon yielded to sadder thoughts.Gerard was an escaped prisoner, and liable to be retaken and perhaps punished; and therefore he and Margaret would have to part for a time.Moreover, he had conceived a hatred to his native place.Margaret wished him to leave the country for a while, but at the thought of his going to Italy her heart fainted.Gerard, on the contrary.was reconciled to leaving Margaret only by his desire to visit Italy, and his strong conviction that there he should earn money and reputation, and remove every obstacle to their marriage.He had already told her all that the demoiselle Van Eyck had said to him.He repeated it, and reminded Margaret that the gold pieces were only given him to go to Italy with.The journey was clearly for Gerard's interest.

He was a craftsman and an artist, lost in this boorish place.In Italy they would know how to value him.On this ground above all the unselfish girl gave her consent; but many tender tears came with it, and at that Gerard, young and loving as herself, cried bitterly with her, and often they asked one another what they had done, that so many different persons should be their enemies, and combine, as it seemed, to part them.

They sat hand in hand till midnight, now deploring their hard fate, now drawing bright and hopeful pictures of the future, in the midst of which Margaret's tears would suddenly flow, and then poor Gerard's eloquence would die away in a sigh.

The morning found them resigned to part, but neither had the courage to say when; and much I doubt whether the hour of parting ever would have struck.

But about three in the afternoon, Giles, who had made a circuit of many miles to avoid suspicion, rode up to the door.They both ran out to him, eager with curiosity.

"Brother Gerard," cried he, in his tremendous tones, "Kate bids you run for your life.They charge you with theft; you have given them a handle.Think not to explain.Hope not for justice in Tergou.The parchments you took, they are but a blind.She hath seen your death in the men's eyes; a price is on your head.Fly!

For Margaret's sake and all who love you, loiter not life away, but fly!"It was a thunder-clap, and left two white faces looking at one another, and at the terrible messenger.

Then Giles, who had hitherto but uttered by rote what Catherine bade him, put in a word of his own.

"All the constables were at our house after you, and so was Dirk Brower.Kate is wise, Gerard.Best give ear to her rede, and fly!""Oh, yes, Gerard," cried Margaret wildly."Fly on the instant.Ah!