“She has made her choice,” he said. And then in a voice unintelligible to them he added: “I shall not return empty-handed to my home!”
Maro was distracted. He clutched Tyrus by the arm, panting:
“Is this your friend? Is this the man whose life you saved? See how he repays you!”
Tyrus was greatly agitated.
“Donatus,” he said entreatingly, “have you forgotten? She is my niece. It is I who have the right to take her.”
“For years,” said the chief, “I have dreamed of her face. To-day I saw it for the first time.”
“But it is not because of you she chooses to stay. She does not understand. She does not know you mean to keep her for yourself. It is the Englishman of whom she thinks.”
“She will forget him soon when he is gone. With the money I shall secure through him I may buy my pardon. She shall be mine!”
Now Flavia did understand, and once more she struggled for her freedom, crying out in her horror of them all.
At this juncture, from some distant part of the valley, came startling sounds. Several pistol shots were fired in rapid succession. In a twinkling every brigand was on his feet, their weapons ready.