Meanwhile the tall man leaned over where the lady sat, and conversed eagerly with her.
“You have to think how it will look, and how it will tell abroad,” said he, in English. “How shall we persuade the people that we are in their cause if you make this villa an Austrian refuge?”
She whispered something low in reply, and he rejoined impatiently,——
“These are small considerations; and if we are to be always thinking of humanity, let us give up the game at once.”
“You 'll not refuse my comrade the consolations of his Church, at least?” said Frank. “I see a reverend father here—”
“And you 'll never see him follow you one step out of this chamber,” broke in the priest “Ego autem tanquam Burdus, non audiebam,” muttered he, with a wave of his hand.
“But if he be a good Catholic,” interposed the youth, half slyly.
“Let them be confounded who seek to do me evil!” said the priest, with a solemnity that said how deeply he felt for his own safety.
“This discussion is lasting too long,” said Frank, impatiently. “I cannot coerce your humanity, but I can demand as a right that a soldier of your Emperor shall receive shelter and succor.”
“I told you so,” said the tall man, still addressing the lady in English; “first the entreaty,——then the menace.”