"Was there matter in that scroll?" asked Susan.
"Only such slight matter as burning down the Talbots' kennel, while Don John of Austria is landing on the coast."
"God forgive them, and defend us!" sighed Susan, turning pale. "Was that in the cipher?"
"Ay, in sooth, but fear not, good wife. Much is purposed that ne'er comes to pass. I doubt me if the ship be built that is to carry the Don hither."
"I trust that Antony knew not of the wickedness?"
"Not he. His is only a dream out of the romances the lads love so well, of beauteous princesses to be freed, and the like."
"But the woman!"
"Yea, that lies deeper. What didst thou say of her? Wherefore do the children call her a witch? Is it only that she is grim and ugly?"
"I trow there is more cause than that," said Susan. "It may be that I should have taken more heed to their babble at first; but I have questioned Cis while you were at the lodge, and I find that even before Mate Goatley spake here, this Tibbott had told the child of her being of lofty race in the north, alien to the Talbots' kennel, holding out to her presages of some princely destiny."
"That bodeth ill!" said Richard, thoughtfully. "Wife, my soul misgives me that the hand of Cuthbert Langston is in this."