'"Sir knight," said he, "I will attend you to the forest, and will take with me only four of my people, who shall witness our conference."'To this, however, the Knight objected.
'"What I would disclose," said he, with solemnity, "is to you alone.
There are only three living persons, to whom the circumstance is known; it is of more consequence to you and your house, than I shall now explain.In future years, you will look back to this night with satisfaction or repentance, accordingly as you now determine.As you would hereafter prosper--follow me; I pledge you the honour of a knight, that no evil shall befall you;--if you are contented to dare futurity--remain in your chamber, and I will depart as I came."'"Sir knight," replied the Baron, "how is it possible, that my future peace can depend upon my present determination?"'"That is not now to be told," said the stranger, "I have explained myself to the utmost.It is late; if you follow me it must be quickly;--you will do well to consider the alternative."'The Baron mused, and, as he looked upon the knight, he perceived his countenance assume a singular solemnity.'
[Here Ludovico thought he heard a noise, and he threw a glance round the chamber, and then held up the lamp to assist his observation;but, not perceiving any thing to confirm his alarm, he took up the book again and pursued the story.]
'The Baron paced his apartment, for some time, in silence, impressed by the last words of the stranger, whose extraordinary request he feared to grant, and feared, also, to refuse.At length, he said, "Sir knight, you are utterly unknown to me; tell me yourself,--is it reasonable, that I should trust myself alone with a stranger, at this hour, in a solitary forest? Tell me, at least, who you are, and who assisted to secrete you in this chamber."'The knight frowned at these latter words, and was a moment silent;then, with a countenance somewhat stern, he said, '"I am an English knight; I am called Sir Bevys of Lancaster,--and my deeds are not unknown at the Holy City, whence I was returning to my native land, when I was benighted in the neighbouring forest."'"Your name is not unknown to fame," said the Baron, "I have heard of it." (The Knight looked haughtily.) "But why, since my castle is known to entertain all true knights, did not your herald announce you? Why did you not appear at the banquet, where your presence would have been welcomed, instead of hiding yourself in my castle, and stealing to my chamber, at midnight?"'The stranger frowned, and turned away in silence; but the Baron repeated the questions.
'"I come not," said the Knight, "to answer enquiries, but to reveal facts.If you would know more, follow me, and again I pledge the honour of a Knight, that you shall return in safety.--Be quick in your determination--I must be gone."'After some further hesitation, the Baron determined to follow the stranger, and to see the result of his extraordinary request; he, therefore, again drew forth his sword, and, taking up a lamp, bade the Knight lead on.The latter obeyed, and, opening the door of the chamber, they passed into the anti-room, where the Baron, surprised to find all his pages asleep, stopped, and, with hasty violence, was going to reprimand them for their carelessness, when the Knight waved his hand, and looked so expressively upon the Baron, that the latter restrained his resentment, and passed on.
'The Knight, having descended a stair-case, opened a secret door, which the Baron had believed was known only to himself, and, proceeding through several narrow and winding passages, came, at length, to a small gate, that opened beyond the walls of the castle.
Meanwhile, the Baron followed in silence and amazement, on perceiving that these secret passages were so well known to a stranger, and felt inclined to return from an adventure, that appeared to partake of treachery, as well as danger.Then, considering that he was armed, and observing the courteous and noble air of his conductor, his courage returned, he blushed, that it had failed him for a moment, and he resolved to trace the mystery to its source.
'He now found himself on the heathy platform, before the great gates of his castle, where, on looking up, he perceived lights glimmering in the different casements of the guests, who were retiring to sleep;and, while he shivered in the blast, and looked on the dark and desolate scene around him, he thought of the comforts of his warm chamber, rendered cheerful by the blaze of wood, and felt, for a moment, the full contrast of his present situation.'