"I never swear," said Reuben rudely.
"There you are wrong," retorted Mowbray courteously; "an oath frequently eases matters."
"It is written, 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.'"
"Very well. But promise me at least that, during the time, your men shall not move or commit any folly."
"So be it."
And turning to his companions Reuben added, "If in the space of a quarter of an hour I do not come out of this house, enter and cut down with your swords whomsoever you may meet!"
"An admirable plan," concluded Mowbray, always ironical.
When Reuben, having been introduced into the enemy's camp under a flag of truce, had at last reached the apartment upon the second floor, Mowbray remarked:—
"Now, madam, you may unmask."
The young woman loosened the strings of her mask, and Reuben found himself in the presence of Bella, Lady Vereker, whose black eyes regarded him with a singular expression of mingled curiosity and amusement.