‘You are playing with me, I repeat—you dare to do so,’ she replied; and he plainly saw the effort it cost her to speak, as she did, in a quiet tone. ‘You either know something, or nothing—to the point then, quickly.’
‘Your displeasure is so swift and heavy that it behoves me to be most prudent and cautious. Give me to understand of what I am to speak——’
‘People call you wise and subtle, but, to me, your prudence and caution savours very much of the profound wisdom of the bird of Minerva.’
‘It is a sapient fowl which flies about in the night-time only, and, doubtless, sees many strange things in moonlight and shade,’ said he.
‘Once again—do you refuse to answer me?’
‘Surely not, in reply to a direct question,’ he answered, as if taking a malicious pleasure in forcing her to mention names.
‘I will give you a cue then,’ said she; ‘you mentioned rumours concerning me—tell me all you know.’
‘There is only one worth repeating.’
‘And that refers to Martialis.’
She was pale, with the exception of a bright, red spot on either cheek, and, perceiving by her look and tone, that it would be imprudent to try her further, he nodded affirmatively.