“I defy thee, Sire, and all thy imps of Satan,” laughed the vixen, as she watched the King sheathe his jewelled sword. “Cast Nell in the blackest dungeon, Adair is her fellow-prisoner; outlaw Nell, Adair is her brother outlaw; off with Nell’s head, off rolls Adair’s. Who else can boast so true a love!”
“Thou shalt be banished the realm,” decided the King, jestingly; for he was now convinced that her Adair was but a jest to tease him–a Roland for his Oliver.
“Banished!” cried Nell, with bated breath.
“Aye; beyond sea, witch!” answered the King, with pompous austerity. “Virginia shall be thy home.”
“Good, good!” laughed Nell, gaily. “Sire, the men grow handsome in Virginia, and dauntless; and they tell me there are a dearth of women there. Oh, banish me at once to–What’s the name?”
“Jamestown,” suggested York, recalling the one name because of its familiar sound.
“Yea, brother James,” said Nell, fearlessly mimicking his brusque accent, “Jamestown.”
“Savages, wild men, cannibals,” scowled Charles.
“Cannibals!” cried Nell. “Marry, I should love to be a cannibal. Are there cannibals in Jamestown, brother James? Banish me, Sire; banish me to Jamestown of all places. Up with the sails, my merry men; give me the helm! Adair will sail in the same good ship, I trow.”
“Adair! I trow thou wert best at home, cannibal Nelly,” determined the King.