“Lady Royland is here, sir; and I, her son, tell you to inform your rebel general that we here recognise no authority but that of his majesty the king, and that we consider it a piece of insolent braggadocio for him to send such a demand.”
“Indeed!” said the officer, laughing. “Well crowed, young game-cock!”
“Yes,” muttered Ben; “and you mind his spurs.”
“Have you anything more to say?” cried Roy.
“Yes; a good deal, my boy, and I will not notice your young, hot-blooded words. You have allowed your men to perform an act this morning that may mean serious consequences for you.”
“I do not understand your meaning, sir.”
“Yes, you do, boy,” said the officer, sternly. “You allowed your men to fire upon a picket of our cavalry.”
“Of course. You allowed your cavalry, as you term them, to try and ride down six unarmed men on their way to the castle, and I gave orders for them to be stopped, and they were stopped.”
“I have no time to argue these things with you, sir. I have only this to say: if you give up the keys to me at once, your people can disperse unharmed to their homes, and Dame Royland and her son can depart with such personal effects as she desires, to go wherever she pleases, and an escort will be provided for her protection.”
“And, if she declines this offer, sir, as my father’s steward of his estates and possessions?”