Then he dared say no more, but with his eyes asked help of Merrylips. And she gave it. Even if twenty Munns had sat there, she would have given help in answer to such a look.
"Please you, my lord," she spoke out bravely, and took Rupert's hand in hers, "he is no common trooper's lad. His true name is called Robert Lucas, and he is son to an English gentleman, one Captain Edward Lucas that died long since in camp in High Germany."
She had to stop then to draw breath, and she heard Munn cry sharply:—
"Merrylips! Good faith, where got you that crack-brained story?"
Then Munn added, more calmly:—
"Believe me, my lord Caversham, that boy yonder is a son or nephew or the like to one of mine own troopers, a Saxon fellow named Hinkel, and known as such to all the Monksfield garrison."
"Oh, but indeed thou art mistaken, Munn," pleaded Merrylips.
She could not keep her voice from shaking. For all those faces that had looked so kindly on her had now grown doubtful and impatient, and she was half afraid. But still she went on:—
"Rupert is truly son to Captain Lucas and to Lady Venetia that was my godmother's sister, and he hath a ring—"
"So you say, boy, those were your parents' names?" Lord Caversham asked sternly.