"Is there need of that, then?" asked the captain. "Hast no place in London to go to? Came you not from some place to meet your friend?"
"From my father's house, of course."
"Then why not go back to it? What's to fear? 'Twas late when you came forth, was it not? I'll wager thy people were abed. Did they know you meant to play the runaway?"
"'Tis not like they know it yet," she replied, a little relieved from complete dismay, but still downhearted.
"And sure the way you came by must be open still," went on the captain.
"I locked the door behind me; but I left the key where I can find it, if you gentlemen will let me go. You will, sirs; I'll thank ye so much! I am undone every way, else."
"Of course we'll let you go," said the captain, decisively, with an oblique eye upon the velvet gallant. "We'll be thy body-guard, forsooth; we'll attend thee to thy door."
"Nay, let me go alone, I beg!"
"Why, would you risk more dangers?"