“And here is one of mine, too, my good fellow,” added Philip, putting another in his hand.
“Now may all the saints preserve you, signors,” replied the soldier, “for it is the first act of kindness shown to me for many years—not that my wife and children have much chance of ever receiving it.”
“You were speaking about a young European woman when we were in the dungeon,” observed Krantz, after a pause.
“Yes, signor, she was a very beautiful creature. Our commandant was very much in love with her.”
“Where is she now?”
“She went away to Goa, in company with a priest who knew her, Father Mathias, a good old man; he gave me absolution when he was here.”
“Father Mathias!” exclaimed Philip; but a touch from Krantz checked him.
“You say the commandant loved her?”
“Oh yes: the little man was quite mad about her; and had it not been for the arrival of Father Mathias, he would never have let her go, that I’m sure of, although she was another man’s wife.”
“Sailed for Goa, you said?”