'Merciful heaven, then I am free to stand up among my fellow men, in my own place again! No; they told me nothing of it, though the villainous chief must have heard, for nothing passes without his cognizance.'
During this conversation the hag looked as if the world was coming to an end, that such language should be used by the upstart in the very midst of her stronghold.
'Poltroon,' she shouted to The Lifter, why do you not strike him down?'
'That is all over now,' Roland said, suddenly seizing the old woman and forcing a handkerchief into her mouth. This act was the signal for The Lifter, who at the same moment accorded similar treatment to Silent Poll. Roland bound the old woman, and The Lifter secured the young one.
'Granny,' The Lifter said, bending down to her ear, 'I am going to leave and to try to be an honest man. I shall watch constantly in the papers for news of your hangeen. As for you,' stooping down to the ear of Silent Poll, 'I believe the devil will carry you off before the gallows gets you. I know you must always have been a great favourite of his.'
Silent Poll replied by spitting in his face.
'Are you ready, my friends?' Roland said, looking at his confederates.
'Yes, yes,' both had answered.
'Come, my darling,' giving his arm to Aster, 'we go from this spot: these two are faithful; but there will be some hot work before we get out.'
She only replied by a fervent pressure of his arm and a glance of proud confidence in her lover.