“Ah! where am I to find this means?”
“On the other side of the river.”
“You forget that there’s more than the stream between.”
“Not much to a man who would be true to himself.”
“I’m that man all over.” The brandy has made him bold, at length untying his tongue, while unsteadying it. “Yes, Père Rogier; I’m ready for anything that will release me from this damnable fix—debt over the ears—duns every day. Ha! I’d be true to myself, never fear!”
“It needs being true to the Church as well.”
“I’m willing to be that when I have the chance, if ever I have it. And to get it I’d risk life. Not much if I lose it. It’s become a burden to me, heavier than I can bear.”
“You may make it as light as a feather, M’sieu; cheerful as that of any of those gay gentry you saw disporting themselves on the lawn at Llangorren—even that of its young mistress.”
“How, Père?”
“By yourself becoming its master.”