“Ay, sir, from me. I would kill thee, or any who sought to hold me from my father. The queen herself should not keep me from him.”
“Seditious girl! those are words of treason.”
“I care not,” cried Francis recklessly. “I care not, my lord. And if thou wilt not give me aid thy life shall pay the forfeit.”
“Dost threaten me, girl?”
“Ay! if you deny me. I will slay thee and take thy signet ring.”
“If I aid thee, what then?”
“I will tell no word of it to any man,” declared she earnestly. “No word, my lord. Thou shalt not be implicated in any manner, as indeed, why should you? I am determined to reach my father, and if to do so I must kill thee, I will do so.”
“I believe in thee, Francis. Thy love for him is great. For the sake of that love, and also for that which once I bore him, I will aid thee. Not because of thy threats, girl. They are but talk of an excited brain.” 196
“Nay, my lord; you do me wrong. I would carry them out if it were necessary, albeit I am glad to have gained the end without bloodshed.”
“Here is my signet ring, Francis. By that token the boatmen will take thee to London. By that token also thou mayest obtain horses at my house. Go, girl! Even now thou mayest be too late. As for me, with that ring on thee, ’twill be my undoing, but—take it.”