She turned to the refugees, saying—
“Name your price, and, if it is within our means, it shall be paid when and where you please. You all know who I am, I presume. The word of an Aylesford is as good as a bond.”
The men looked at each other, and then at their leader but none of them answered, evidently leaving it to him to be their spokesman.
“And how much do you think you could raise at Sweetwater?” asked Arrison, sneeringly. “If we had known it was such a bank of England, that it could pay down golden guineas for your ransom, maybe we’d have sacked it first, and then carried you off afterwards. Now how much will your ladyship give?”
The tone in which he spoke, coupled with his enigmatical words, gave Kate her first suspicion that the ruffians’ motive was not wholly mercenary in waylaying her. Her cheek, in spite of herself, was a shade paler, and her voice trembled as she replied—
“In heaven’s name, Arrison, state your terms, and let me go. We have but little gold on hand, as you ought to know, in these times; but we can get it; and I pledge you my honor, the honor of my father’s daughter, that your price shall be paid.”
“Without treachery?”
“Without treachery.”
“If I name a day and place, will you send a trusty servant with the gold, and let no one know of it?”
“I will.”