"Changed—how?"
"She has grown fleshy—"
"Ah! say not 'fleshy' but fat! fat! Now what good fortune is this? The
Duke will be getting a divorce, for he doth abominate a fat woman.
Good, good! I must see her. I shall pay her a visit before I leave for
France."
"Thou wilt have far to journey, for they leave at once for Ellswold.
The case will be settled within a few days at most."
"A few days at most? Legal folderol, a mere shade of a trial. Aye; I must see her Grace. I have a message for her."
"I will serve thee; Constance, I will take thy message—" Adrian was interrupted by the entrance of the gaoler, who brought in cordial juleps. Her ladyship made the fellow drink, before she would allow him to go. Then, as he left them again, she said,—
"Thou canst not; it is a message no one can deliver but me," and as if to seal her words she poured down a good, round bumper.
"What dost mean, Constance? Thou art too subtle for me!"
"Too subtle? Hast thou lost the art of penetration? Then I'll tell thee, thou—the 'Ranter,' as they call thee. Thou who hast become Bunyan's squire. I am going to poison my lady or give her a dagger thrust. She must die."
"Thou art the devil, Constance; but there is one who can outwit the devil, and he will do it, too."