“What say you, Ruari Macdonald?” asked Sir Nicholas.
“Tell me first,” said I, “how stands Desmond in this matter?”
“He has gone to Askeaton again,” said he, “and as he will not declare himself for the Queen, he must be judged to be against her.”
“Did you say anything to Grace O’Malley of this errand of yours to us? Does she know of it?” asked I.
“Yes,” said he.
“And what is her word to us?”
“’Bid these men of mine avenge me, and that right speedily.’ That was what she said.”
“Well spoken!” cried Richard Burke.
“I have never disobeyed her yet,” said I, “and I shall not do so now.”