“It is a lie,” hissed the other; “I pulled the minx on, that is all, and so would you have done, if you had been cursed with such a wild-cat for four-and-twenty hours. Why, when we took her she was more trouble to hold than any man.”
“Oh! I understand,” interrupted Ramiro, who had recovered his composure; “a little maidenly reluctance, that is all, my worthy Simon, and as for this young gentleman, a little lover-like anxiety—doubtless in bygone years you have felt the same,” and he glanced mockingly at Black Meg. “So do not be too ready to take offence, good Simon. Youth will be youth.”
“And Youth will get a knife between its ribs if it is not careful,” grumbled Hague Simon, as he spat out a piece of broken tooth.
“Why am I brought here, Señor,” broke in Elsa, “in defiance of laws and justice?”
“Laws! Mejufvrouw, I did not know that there were any left in the Netherlands; justice! well, all is fair in love and war, as any lady will admit. And the reason why—I think you must ask Adrian, he knows more about it than I do.”
“He says that he knows nothing, Señor.”
“Does he, the rogue? Does he indeed? Well, it would be rude to contradict him, wouldn’t it, so I for one unreservedly accept his statement that he knows nothing, and I advise you to do the same. No, no, my boy, do not trouble to explain, we all quite understand. Now, my good dame,” he went on addressing the serving-woman who had entered the place, “take this young lady to the best room you have above. And, listen, both of you, she is to be treated with all kindness, do you hear, for if any harm comes to her, either at your hands or her own, by Heaven! you shall pay for it to the last drop of your blood. Now, no excuses and—no mistakes.”
The two women, Meg and the other, nodded and motioned to Elsa to accompany them. She considered a moment, looking first at Ramiro and next at Adrian. Then her head dropped upon her breast, and turning without a word she followed them up the creaking oaken stair that rose from a niche near the wall of the ingle-nook.
“Father,” said Adrian when the massive door had closed behind her and they were left alone—“father—for I suppose that I must call you so.”
“There is not the slightest necessity,” broke in Ramiro; “facts, my dear son, need not always be paraded in the cold light of day—fortunately. But, proceed.”