"Barbarism, assuredly," I answered; "but it is to be said for them that the fawn was their game, and they did not understand your behaviour. You ran great risk by defending it. Why did you not offer them money for it?"
"Because the heart is quicker than the head." Then she added archly, "You were not much wiser. It did not occur to you to buy our safety. You were for fighting, one against fifty, with riding-whip against bludgeons and crossbows and guns."
"Perhaps I was more foolish than valiant," said I.
"Nay, I meant no flout," answered the lady, and her eyes were dewy as she looked at me.
"The fat old fellow must have the praise for our deliverance," I said.
"Not from me," smiled the lady.
The gratitude she so expressed drove me to say, hoping to divert her mind—
"By this time, Mat will have brought your fawn."
"How kind of you to take such pains! But my fawn it is not, since your money purchased it from the hunters."
"Honour me by acceptance of it, then."