"Well, it is in the fall of mighty lords that the rats of your trade find bloody bones to gnaw," she answered him. "But if you are too amazed at the contemplation of the wealth that you shall make out of this to tell me, get you gone. If not, speak shortly, or I warrant you a few cousins of mine shall burn this Castle and you in a little space."
The lawyer shrank at these words and she went on:
"I trysted with my cousin Widdrington to meet him at Glororem at six to-night and bade him fetch me hence with what companions he needed at twelve if I were not home, so you have but an hour."
"Ah, gentle lady," the lawyer said, "it is three hours."
"Well then, you have kept me twelve hours here," the lady said; "I shall pay you in full for your entertainment."
"Ah, gentle lady," the lawyer sighed, "not me, not me!"
She answered only: "Out with your tale."
He hesitated for a moment, and then began with another sigh:
"For your noble cousin Paris, Lord Lovell, I fear it is all done with him."
"I think he may be dead that he did not come to his betrothal with me," the lady said. "If that is so you have my leave to tell me."