"Ha! will the means of death lie in so small a space?" said Albert Maurice, gazing on the little silver case; "but 'tis well! Bring hence the lights, leave the body, and lock the door. He will not find solitude oppressive, I doubt not;" and thus saying, he led the way into another chamber, to which the servant followed with the key and lights; and the President added, as they were set down before him, "Bring wine!"
When the man was gone, and he was seated with the young cavalier, he leaned his brow upon his hand for a moment, and then looked up, "Give me your pardon, sir," he said; "give me your pardon for a short space. I am somewhat ill to-night, and must collect my thoughts, before I can speak to you as I ought."
Hugh de Mortmar bowed his head; and wine being brought in a few minutes, Albert Maurice filled for both, and drained his own cup to the dregs. "I have a burning thirst upon me," he said, "but it will soon be quenched. Now, sir, I can speak. You have recovered, I trust, your full strength; and this night--that is to say, ere dawn--can ride forth away from the thraldom of this place?"
"As well as ere I rode in life," replied Hugh de Mortmar, "and thank you deeply for your kind intentions."
"Thank not me," replied Albert Maurice, gravely, "for I am about, like a true citizen," he added, with a bitter smile, "for I am about to drive a hard bargain with you; and to make you agree to do me a service in return--not for giving you your liberty, for you did the like to me--but for some intelligence I have to communicate, which may be worth its weight in gold. Of that hereafter. First, let us speak of the service I require. You have at this moment, within the walls of the city, where I have given them employment during this evening, some three or four hundred free companions--good soldiers, levied for purposes I know and respect. In an hour's time they will be mounted, and at the Alost gate, from which we have just come. You shall have arms that might grace a prince, a horse as noble as ever was bestrode by knight; and what I require is this--that, all other matter laid aside, you ride forward towards Brussels, and thence onward, on whatever road you may find necessary--as you will there discover from the Lord of Ravestein, or the Duchess Dowager--in order to meet Maximilian, Archduke of Austria."
"What! my best friend and old companion in arms!" cried Hugh de Mortmar. "No evil against him, Sir President! for know, I would sooner bear to my grave the heaviest chains that ever shackled man, than raise an arm against one I love so well."
"Fear not, my lord!" replied Albert Maurice. "For his safety, not for his injury, would I have you set out. Tell him from me, Albert Maurice, that his way is beset; tell him that every artifice will be used to make him turn back, by fair means or by foul. But bid him hasten forward, in spite of all; and you, on your part, promise me, never to quit him till you see him safely within the gates of the duke's house in Ghent."
"Willingly! most willingly!" replied the young cavalier, rising. "I am ready to set out!"
"What, without the tidings I have promised?" demanded Albert Maurice.
"Some other time!" replied Hugh de Mortmar. "When I return will do."