“Lord, I would die for him,” replied Danaë fervently.
“You see, Olimpia. There must be some mistake.”
“I can never have her about him again.”
“My most beloved, you don’t understand our island-people. The women make the most devoted nurses in the world, and have died for their charges, as she says. She is a wild creature who does not understand civilised ways, but I would trust her with the child through anything. Let Petros speak to her seriously, and I’ll be bound you will see a great change in her.”
“If Petros can make her understand that she is to do what she is told, and that Janni is to be brought up in my way, not hers, I might think of it.”
“Surely, my Lady, there is a way of making women understand, and I have never known it fail,” said Petros unctuously, with a glance at his master’s riding-whip. The Prince laughed uncomfortably.
“No, no, friend Petraki, we are not in the islands now. Give the girl a good talking-to, that’s enough.”
Petros looked at the Lady, whose delicate brows were drawn into a slight frown. “Leave it to me, lord. Does not the girl come from my place? Is she to bring disgrace on me by angering the mistress I brought her to serve? In five minutes she shall kiss the Lady’s foot and ask pardon—yes, and promise amendment. Follow me, wretched one.”
“Well, don’t be too hard upon her. Follow thine uncle, little one, and fear not. The Lady and I will come to thy help if he beats thee.”
“He will not, lord.” The words were uttered with such concentrated fury that Prince Romanos turned rather uneasily to his wife as Danaë, with head held high, followed the retreating form of Petros.