"I named no one but L'Estrange, though you deserved it."
"It is well for you,—you are a cunning asp, but one that bites too; had you spoken a word against my honour, you had died the death!"
"Your honour?" said Juana, in bitter irony.
"And if you dare breathe a syllable of my being an accomplice I will wring that head of yours off its fair neck. I will bring you to a reckoning for this yet, by G—d, I will!"
"Take not his name on thy perjured lips."
"Avast there—keep thy viperous tongue still, it has done mischief enough already for one night; but I must not delay. Ha, they batter the door do they, it will stand the best of them," so saying he sped up the stairs crying: "Egad, I had lost you in this old labyrinth. Blaze away, Arranmore, I will help."
Whilst the Captain had been talking with Juana, the five others had reached the door, and were wild at finding it locked within, and well able to withstand the attack.
"God grant," said the Earl, "she be not murdered within, and her murderer fled; I dread the silence: try again, Arranmore, try, oh! once more."
The Captain smiled in scorn. "It stood me," he muttered to himself.
But at that moment the Marquis again threw his giant size and strength against the oaken door; it shook like an aspen, but still it held firm.