"Tell him what I say," was Talbot's calm reply.
"You are mad!" groaned Brooke.
"What is all this?" cried Lopez, angrily. "What does the priest say?"
"The priest says that he will not go," replied Brooke—"that he will stay by me."
"Oh, he does, does he?" said Lopez. "Well, that's all the better for you. You'll need him, especially if you persist in your obstinacy."
Brooke translated this, and Talbot listened without a word.
Brooke was now ordered back into the mill, and he went, Talbot following. On reaching the loft, they both were silent for a long time. Brooke spoke first.
"Oh, Talbot, Talbot!" he cried, in a reproachful voice, "why didn't you go? You had the chance."
"Go!" exclaimed Talbot. "What! go and leave you?"
"Of course," said Brooke.