Presently, however, Otho Killigrew obtained command over himself, and said to me:
"The devil hath again missed his own then. I was a fool to trust Benet."
"You see Benet fought as a man," I replied; "unlike you, he would not act as a butcher."
I was sorry afterwards that I answered him thus, for it is a coward's trick to strike a man when he is down; but when I called to mind what I had just heard I could scarce restrain myself. Had he shown any signs of penitence I should have pitied him, for I saw that all hope had gone from his face, and it is easy to have kindly feelings towards a man who is beaten.
Peter Trevisa, however, behaved differently. The old man's face was yellow with fear, for he knew the power Hugh Boscawen possessed.
"My lord," he whined, "this is a fearful blow, a fearful blow that you should have discovered a traitor in my house. But I knew nought of it, my lord; he came here on a matter entirely different."
"He did," replied Hugh Boscawen, "and that matter shall be sifted to the very bottom."
"I do not think you—you understand, my lord," he said stammeringly.
"Perfectly. You were about to force this maid into an unholy marriage, and you had promised to keep secret some information you say you possess concerning her father's marriage. Whatever it is, it shall be secret no longer. That I can promise you. Whether you have placed yourself within the grip of the law remains to be proved. That is a question which also applies to you," he added, turning to the clergyman.
"No, my lord," replied the Reverend Mr. Winter. "I was invited here to perform a marriage ceremony in the ordinary way. I had no knowledge that anything was wrong, and should certainly have refused to comply with the wishes of Master Otho Killigrew after having understood the lady's sentiments."