“Stop these jests, holy father,” replied Hornecht, biting his lips. “A modest widow, and that boy with the down still on his lips.”
“At his age,” replied the unabashed priest, “fullblown roses have a stronger attraction for young beetles than do buds; and in this instance,” he added more gravely, “it is a most fortunate accident. We have Hosea’s nephew in the snare, and it will be your part not to let him escape.”
“Do you mean that we are to deprive him of his liberty?” cried the warrior.
“Even so.”
“Yet you value his uncle?”
“Certainly. But the state has a higher claim.”
“This boy....”
“Is a desirable hostage. Hosea’s sword was an extremely useful tool to us; but if the hand that guides it is directed by the man whose power ever greater things we know....”
“You mean the Hebrew, Mesu?”
“Then Hosea will deal us wounds as deep as those he erst inflicted on our foes.”