“To bring all Spain under her rule; utterly to crush the Moors and take their territories; to make the Church of Christ triumphant upon earth; to stamp out heresy; to convert or destroy the Jews,” he added slowly, and as he spoke the words, Peter, watching, saw his eyes open and glitter like a snake’s—“to bring their bodies to the purifying flames, and their vast wealth into her treasury, and thus earn the praise of the faithful upon earth, and for herself a throne in heaven.”
For a while there was silence after this speech, then Margaret said boldly:
“If heavenly thrones are built of human blood and tears, what stone and mortar do they use in hell, I wonder?” Then, without pausing for an answer, she rose, saying that she was weary, curtseyed to d’Aguilar, her father and Peter, each in turn, and left the hall.
When she had gone the talk flagged, and presently d’Aguilar asked for his men and horses and departed also, saying as he went:
“Friend Castell, you will repeat my news to your good kinsman here. I pray for all your sakes that he may bow his head to what cannot be helped, and thus keep it safe upon his shoulders.”
“What meant the man?” asked Peter, when the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away.
Castell told him of what had passed between him and d’Aguilar before supper, and showed him de Ayala’s receipt, adding in a vexed voice:
“I have forgotten to repay him the gold; it shall be sent to-morrow.”
“Have no fear; he will come for it,” answered Peter coldly. “Now, if I have my way, I will take the risk of these Spaniards’ swords and King Henry’s rope, and bide here.”
“That you must not do,” said Castell earnestly, “for my sake and Margaret’s, if not for yours. Would you make her a widow before she is a wife? Listen: it is my wish that you travel down to Essex to take delivery of your father’s land in the Vale of Dedham and see to the repairing of the mansion house, which, I am told, needs it much. Then, when these Spaniards are gone, you can return and at once be married, say one short month hence.”