The monk, in alluding to the secrets of the confessional, had gone a step beyond what the rules of his order and of the church permitted. He was baffled by the Fleming’s reply, and finding him unmoved by the charge of heresy, he could only answer, in some confusion, “You refuse, then, to admit me to the conference with the Welshman?”
“Reverend father,” said Wilkin, “it altogether respecteth secular matters. If aught of religious tenor should intervene, you shall be summoned without delay.”
“I will be there in spite of thee, thou Flemish ox,” muttered the monk to himself, but in a tone not to be heard by the by-standers; and so speaking he left the battlements.
Wilkin Flammock, a few minutes afterwards, having first seen that all was arranged on the battlements, so as to give an imposing idea of a strength which did not exist, descended to a small guard-room, betwixt the outer and inner gate, where he was attended by half-a-dozen of his own people, disguised in the Norman armour which they had found in the armoury of the castle,— their strong, tall, and bulky forms, and motionless postures, causing them to look rather like trophies of some past age, than living and existing soldiers. Surrounded by these huge and inanimate figures, in a little vaulted room which almost excluded daylight, Flammock received the Welsh envoy, who was led in blindfolded betwixt two Flemings, yet not so carefully watched but that they permitted him to have a glimpse of the preparations on the battlements, which had, in fact, been made chiefly for the purpose of imposing on him. For the same purpose an occasional clatter of arms was made without; voices were heard as if officers were going their rounds; and other sounds of active preparation seemed to announce that a numerous and regular garrison was preparing to receive an attack.
When the bandage was removed from Jorworth’s eyes,— for the same individual who had formerly brought Gwenwyn’s offer of alliance, now bare his summons of surrender,— he looked haughtily around him and demanded to whom he was to deliver the commands of his master, the Gwenwyn, son of Cyvelioc, Prince of Powys.
“His highness,” answered Flammock, with his usual smiling indifference of manner, “must be contented to treat with Wilkin Flammock of the Fulling-mills, deputed governor of the Garde Doloureuse.”
“Thou deputed governor!” exclaimed Jorworth; “thou?— a Low-country weaver!— it is impossible. Low as they are, the English Crogan [Footnote: This is a somewhat contumelious epithet applied by the Welsh to the English.] cannot have sunk to a point so low, as to be commanded by thee! — these men seem English, to them I will deliver my message.”
“You may if you will,” replied Wilkin, “but if they return you any answer save by signs, you shall call me schelm .”
“Is this true?” said the Welsh envoy, looking towards the men-at-arms, as they seemed, by whom Flammock was attended; “are you really come to this pass? I thought that the mere having been born on British earth, though the children of spoilers and invaders, had inspired you with too much pride to brook the yoke of a base mechanic. Or, if you are not courageous, should you not be cautious?— Well speaks the proverb, Wo to him that will trust a stranger! Still mute — still silent?— answer me by word or sign — Do you really call and acknowledge him as your leader?”
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