"You know their faults alone," pursued Nest passionately, "because you seek to find them that you may foster and trade on them. That is policy. Policy is to nurture the evil and ignore the good. None know better their own weaknesses than do we. But why not turn your policy to helping us to overcome them and be made strong?"
"It is through your own inbred faults that we have gained admission into your mountains. Brothers with you cannot trust brothers——"
"No more than you or Robert can trust each other, I presume," sneered Nest. "An arrow was aimed at you from behind. Who shot it? Not a Welshman, but Robert, or a henchman of Robert. On my honor, you set us a rare example of fraternal affection and unity!"
Henry bit his lips.
"It is through your own rivalries that we are able to maintain our hold upon your mountains."
"And because we know you as fomenters of discord—doers of the devil's work—that is why we hate you. Give up this policy, and try another method with us."
"Women cannot understand. Have done!"
"Justice, they say, is figured as a woman; for Justice is pitiful towards feebleness and infirmity. But with you is no justice at all, only rank tyranny—tyranny that can only rule with the iron rod, and drive with the scourge."
"Be silent! My salamander is moving again."
But she would not listen to him. She pursued—