She caught my hand eagerly. Her eyes seemed to burn like live coals, and as I thought she looked into the very depth of my life.
"Yes, I will trust you," she cried, "and I will bless you forever. But can you take me away. These men seem to have friends everywhere."
"I can, and I will," I cried eagerly, for at that time my heart was hot, and I felt no weakness. "Come quickly," I continued, "I have prepared my plans." Then turning around I saw two women in the room, evidently the landlord's wife and a servant-maid.
"What do 'ee main? who be you?" screamed one of the women.
But I took no heed. Mistress Nancy caught some clothing which she had thrown on the table, and although the woman tried to bar the doorway, I led her out. All this time Otho had been lying on the floor like one dead.
I went to the door which I had bolted, and was about to open it, but I desisted, for I heard the clatter of horses' hoofs. For a moment my heart sank within me; I felt sure that Colman Killigrew had returned with the priest. If that were so, I should be one against many. The maid Nancy had also heard the noise, for her face was piteous to behold.
"'Tis they, 'tis they," she cried. "Oh, you will not let me fall into their hands, will you?"
It was then that I realized the secret of my heart. At that moment I knew that Mistress Nancy Molesworth was all the world to me, and that all my vows never to care for a woman again were no more than the chaff which the wind drives away. My blood was on fire, and I vowed that all the Killigrews on earth should not take her from me.
"No, by God, no!" I cried, "they shall not get you."
My words seemed to give her confidence, for she became calmer and steady again.