"Yes, my lady, I cannot help thinking that these Saxons would despise the beastly orgies proceeding under this roof, and outside."
"Yes, Jeannette; but what will it be on the morrow, when this Saxon is given over to their cruelty? It makes my blood curdle! Would I knew how to set him free! My heart tells me it would be an act of mercy done to my own people as well as to him; for to spare my people the humiliation and degradation of the morrow's inhumanity were indeed a good deed, whether they would appreciate it or not."
"My lady, if you wish it, I warrant we can do it. I know how to set about it. Paul Lazaire mounts guard, and I can coax the simpleton into obeying me. I declare if I had to bid him stand on his head he would do it."
"But, Jeannette, that would probably get Paul into trouble. Perhaps it would cost him his life. That would not do."
"Well, if you will not let me manage Paul, I cannot tell how to help you."
"But cannot we manage it without implicating Paul. I could make a sleeping draught which would put him to rest speedily."
"Oh, that would be fine, my lady! Just the very thing! Put it in some mulled ale, and I will dose him."
"But how then, Jeannette? Have we courage to open the prison doors? I am afraid our nerves would fail us down in those damp and ghostly cells."
"Not at all, my lady. I will go; my heart will not fail me, for it would just suit me to do it."
"Well, it sounds strange we should thus plot to deceive our people; but my heart prompts me to do this deed, come what may."