THE LEICESTER POSSIBILITY
On leaving the dungeon I sought Madge, and after I had whispered a word to her from my heart I asked her to tell Dorothy the encouraging words of the surgeon, and also to tell her that she should not be angry with me until she was sure she had good cause. I dared not send a more explicit message, and I dared not go to Dorothy, for Sir George was in a suspicious mood and I feared ruin not only for myself but for John, should my violent cousin suspect me of sympathy with his daughter and her lover.
I also sought Aunt Dorothy and whispered a word to her of which you shall hear more presently.
"Ah, I cannot do it," cried the trembling old lady in response to my whispered request. "I cannot do it."
"But you must, Aunt Dorothy," I responded. "Upon it depend three lives: Sir George's, Dorothy's, and her lover's. You must do it."
"I will try," she replied.
"That assurance will not suit me," I responded. "You must promise upon your salvation that you will not fail me."
"I promise upon my salvation," replied Aunt Dorothy.
That evening of course we did not see the ladies at supper. Sir George and I ate in silence until my cousin became talkative from drink. Then he spoke bitterly of Dorothy's conduct, and bore with emphasis upon the fact that the lover to whom Dorothy had stooped was a low-born serving man.
"But Dorothy declares he is noble," I responded.