I am command' by my master to
offer you a French barque which is in the Thames, and a safe
conduct to the Governor of Calais. In France you will find safety
and honour, as your worth deserve'."
Up sprang Sir Walter from his chair, and flung off the cloak of
thought in which he had been mantled.
"Impossible," he said. "Impossible! There is my plighted word to
return, and there are my Lords of Arundel and Pembroke, who are
sureties for me. I cannot leave them to suffer by my default."
"They will not suffer at all," De Chesne assured him. He was very
well informed. "King James has yielded to Spain partly because he
fears, partly because he will have a Spanish marriage for Prince
Charles, and will do nothing to trouble his good relations with
King Philip. But, after all, you have friends, whom his Majesty
also fears. If you escape' you would resolve all his perplexities.
I do not believe that any obstacle will be offer' to your escape--
else why they permit you to travel thus without any guard, and to
retain your sword?"
Half distracted as he was by what he had learnt, yet Sir Walter
clung stoutly and obstinately to what he believed to be the only
course for a man of honour.
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