Sir Walter Raleigh - Livres de poche

SIR WALTER RALEIGH ir Walter dlaleigh Nina Brown Baker New York HARCOURT, BRACE AND COMPANY For Margaret Bryant SIR WALTER RALEIGH I A CHILL WIND ruffled the muddy waters of the Thames and blew cuttingly down the narrow London street. The mansion looked neglected and forlorn, its marble steps dingy for want of scrub bing. Frowning a bit, for he was a fastidious young man, he ran lightly up the shallow flight and hammered on the door. A slovenly manservant opened it to a grudging crack. Not at home, he said shortly. The caller gave a powerful push and stepped past him. Tell Sir Humphrey Gilbert that his brother, Walter Raleigh, is here to see him, he said sharply. And mind your manners, my man. This is no way to receive visitors. The servant peered at him. Eh, it be you, Master Walter We did not expect you so soon. These be sore days, sir. The mistress gone, and the maids with her, and me left to do all the work of the house Grumbling he turned toward the stairs, but Raleigh stopped him. Never mind, Ill find my way. Hes in his room, I suppose At the head of the handsome curving staircase he paused before a closed door. When a knock brought no answer, he pushed it open. Dimly lit by winter daylight, the great chamber gave a first impression of elegance. Only a second glance was needed to see that the velvet carpet was thick with dust, the bed in tumbled disorder. A feeble fire flickered under the enormous mantel, but the air was dank and chill. A table had been drawn to the window, where a man sat with his back to the door. Table and the floor about it were littered with papers. For a moment Raleigh could not recognize the bowed figure, wrapped in a worn woolen gown. A house guest, surelysome elderly scholar, busy with his studies. He was just backing out when the man turned in his chair and looked at him. Oh, its you, Walter, he said dully. I thought it was another of them He rose, straightening his humped shoulders, and the appearance of age vanished. Humphrey Gilbert was a big, burly man of forty, with a plain honest face meant for laughter, but now drawn into anxious lines. It bright ened a little as he came forward and wrapped his younger brother in a bearlike hug. Forgive me, Walter boy, for a slow welcome. My thoughts were elsewhere. Well, so youre home safe And the Falcon Safe too, at the Plymouth dock. Shell need a lot of repairs before shes fit to put to sea again, though. The Spanish cannon have made a sieve of her. Its a miracle that we got her home. A miracle my creditors will appreciate, Gilbert said bitterly. Well, they can pay the bill for the repairs. Shes their ship now. Come to the fire, boy. Now. Lets hear your adventures since we parted. My adventures Raleigh threw himself into an arm chair and spoke with quick impatience. There are none worth speaking of. After the Spaniards dispersed our little fleet I obeyed orders and followed you home as best I could. What happened to the others One ship was sunk before my eyes. Did we lose many We lost all, Sir Humphrey said solemnly. Oh, not by the Spaniards alone. They sank or captured three out of our five. Only my flagship and your Falcon limped into port. The moneylenders will take the two as part payment on my debt. And a very poor payment it is, in their eyes They are pressing you Raleigh asked sympatheti cally. Theyre at me day and night, Walter. An unending stream of angry men, demanding, threateningI teU you, Im half-mad with it all If the voyage had suc ceeded, if wed been able to reach the Western lands and bring back treasure, these Lombardy gentlemen would have made their fortunes. That was the chance they took when they financed me. Now, when the ven ture has failed, they expect me me to give them back their money. Where would I get it If I had had it, would I have gone to them in the first place These moneylenders are not sensible, Walter His tone was so doleful that in spite of himself the younger man smiled...