‘Had I but known her! By the soul of my fathers, she should have found that it was easier to come here than to go home again!’
‘Hush, Smid! Better as it is. Boy, if I put her into your power, dare you carry her off?’
Philammon hesitated one moment.
‘What I dare you know already. But it would be an unlawful thing, surely, to use violence.’
‘Settle your philosopher’s doubts for yourself. I have made my offer. I should have thought that a man in his senses could give but one answer, much more a mad monk.’
‘You forget the money matters, prince,’ said Smid, with a smile.
‘I do not. But I don’t think the boy so mean as to hesitate on that account.’
‘He may as well know, however, that we promise to send all her trumpery after her, even to the Amal’s presents. As for the house, we won’t trouble her to lend it us longer than we can help. We intend shortly to move into more extensive premises, and open business on a grander scale, as the shopkeepers say,—eh, prince?’
‘Her money?—That money? God forgive her!’ answered Philammon. ‘Do you fancy me base enough to touch it? But I am resolved. Tell me what to do, and I will do it.’
‘You know the lane which runs down to the canal, under the left wall of the house?’