Ivanhoe - Penn State University

Ivanhoe
fered them, of which none but Athelstane felt any inclination even the comfort she might have derived from the attendance
to partake. Neither had the descendant of the Confessor much of her handmaiden Elgitha.
time to do justice to the good cheer placed before them, for The apartment in which the Saxon chiefs were confined,
their guards gave him and Cedric to understand that they were for to them we turn our first attention, although at present
to be imprisoned in a chamber apart from Rowena. Resis- used as a sort of guard-room, had formerly been the great hall
tance was vain; and they were compelled to follow to a large of the castle. It was now abandoned to meaner purposes, be-
room, which, rising on clumsy Saxon pillars, resembled those cause the present lord, among other additions to the conve-
refectories and chapter-houses which may be still seen in the nience, security, and beauty of his baronial residence, had
most ancient parts of our most ancient monasteries. erected a new and noble hall, whose vaulted roof was sup-
The Lady Rowena was next separated from her train, and ported by lighter and more elegant pillars, and fitted up with
conducted, with courtesy, indeed, but still without consult- that higher degree of ornament, which the Normans had aling
her inclination, to a distant apartment. The same alarmready introduced into architecture.
ing distinction was conferred on Rebecca, in spite of her father’s Cedric paced the apartment, filled with indignant reflec-
entreaties, who offered even money, in this extremity of distions on the past and on the present, while the apathy of his
tress, that she might be permitted to abide with him. “Base companion served, instead of patience and philosophy, to
unbeliever,” answered one of his guards, “when thou hast seen defend him against every thing save the inconvenience of the
thy lair, thou wilt not wish thy daughter to partake it.” And, present moment; and so little did he feel even this last, that
without farther discussion, the old Jew was forcibly dragged he was only from time to time roused to a reply by Cedric’s
off in a different direction from the other prisoners. The do- animated and impassioned appeal to him.
mestics, after being carefully searched and disarmed, were con- “Yes,” said Cedric, half speaking to himself, and half adfined
in another part of the castle; and Rowena was refused dressing himself to Athelstane, “it was in this very hall that
188