“Now meseems you might win great credit in the King’s eyes, at no cost to yourself, if you were to lay hands on this treasure in the King’s name.”
Master Paul’s alarm asserted itself in a shriek.
“Lordamercy, lady, what of the law of the land? Would you have me turn footpad, house-breaker?”
His jaws shook, his joints twitched, he was abject in alarm. Springing to her feet, Brilliana spoke impatiently.
“A Parliament man is outside the King’s law; his goods are forfeit, and to confiscate them as legal as loyal. I thought you might choose to serve the King and please me.” This last was said with an accent of disdain which made the unhappy squire shiver. “I was in error, so no more words of it. Good-day to you.”
And my Lady Brilliana made Master Paul a courtesy so contemptuous and a gesture of dismissal so decisive that Master Hungerford’s terror deepened. If the King’s cause were to go well, if the lady indeed had favor with his Majesty, to offend her would be verily a piece of mortal folly. He came nigh to falling on his knees as he pleaded.
“Nay, nay, never so hot, now; I am your suitor, in faith, I am your very good servant. I would serve your will in this if I could but march with the law.”
Brilliana jumped at his concession. She saw Tiffany in the distance crossing the garden towards her and guessed that she came to announce the arrival of the other miser; so she was eager to clinch the business with Master Hungerford.
“Why, so you ever shall, with the King’s law. What more easy? I represent the King in this district; this fellow is a suspected rebel; I give you leave to search his house for arms.”
Master Paul pricked his ears. “Ah, so, for arms, you say?”