In the deepest of the clump the boughs, now bursting into leaf,
were bent downwards as though to hide something beneath. I wrenched them
aside, and there, gleaming whitely in the gathering twilight was the
dead face of my mother.
CHAPTER V
THOMAS SWEARS AN OATH
For a while I stood amazed with horror, staring down at the dead face of
my beloved mother. Then I stooped to lift her and saw that she had been
stabbed, and through the breast, stabbed with the sword which I carried
in my hand.
Now I understood. This was the work of that Spanish stranger whom I
had met as he hurried from the place of murder, who, because of the
wickedness of his heart or for some secret reason, had striven to slay
me also when he learned that I was my mother's son. And I had held this
devil in my power, and that I might meet my May, I had suffered him to
escape my vengeance, who, had I known the truth, would have dealt with
him as the priests of Anahuac deal with the victims of their gods. I
understood and shed tears of pity, rage, and shame. Then I turned and
fled homewards like one mad.
At the doorway I met my father and my brother Geoffrey riding up from
Bungay market, and there was that written on my face which caused them
to ask as with one voice:
'What evil thing has happened?'
Thrice I looked at my father before I could speak, for I feared lest the
blow should kill him.
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