"And you deal in all honesty when you promise rich husbands to farmers' daughters, and astound them by knowing what the kitchen wench told you?"
Bess laughed merrily.
"What harm is done by giving them pleasant dreams? But of your affairs now? Are you taking no steps against my father?"
"I have taken none."
"Then in kindness to me, do not. He is a broken man, and has not recovered the full use of his limbs, since he was racked by the old earl. He was overcome by your giving up yourself to save me, for he loves me in his fashion, and he made a clean breast to the young lord of all the practice against you."
"If I bore him malice never so much, it should be thrown to the wind for your sake, Bess, to whom I owe more than can be repaid."
"When you come back from the wars with honour and riches, you may repay any service the gipsy girl has done you a thousandfold."
"How?"
"By using voice and influence to protect a persecuted people."
"I never heard of your folk being persecuted in the Isle."