"Nay, how should I?"
Sir James drew a deep breath of relief.
"You had no thought of gain in coming hither?" he asked almost jealously.
"Nay, fair lord, I wished only to seek you out, for I was sure always that you lived. I know not why I was so certain, but in my heart there was never doubt. It was as if a voice spoke in my ear, saying: 'Your father lives.' I was wroth with those who doubted it. I have thought—" Hugh hesitated, then plunged on—"I have thought my lady mother, watching over us twain from Heaven, hath whispered the message in my ear."
"Doubt not that she did," affirmed Sir James solemnly.
Both were silent for a space, murmuring prayers upon their knees, for they lived in the Age of Faith and they believed that they had experienced what was close to a miracle.
"Did Comnenus threaten you with torture?" asked Sir James after he had risen from his knees.
"Ay, and at Mocenigo's suggestion they demonstrated it to me on the body of a prisoner."
"What said you?" questioned Sir James eagerly.
"I told them an they tormented me in any way, I would kill myself."