“There, madam,” says he, with a bow that began at her and finished at me, “you see how well I have executed your commands. Here stands Master Richard Coope, alive and unhurt Have I done well, fair cousin?”
“You have done excellent well, sir,” says she.
“Then there is naught left, madam,” says he, “but to claim my reward.”
“And that,” says she, “you shall have without delay. But first I must transact that business with Master Coope that I told you of. Master Richard, will it please you to step with me into the hall for a moment?”
But I looked at her and then at him.
“Hold!” says I. “What is the meaning of all this, and what is that reward you speak of, Master Dacre?”
He gave me a triumphant look.
“In return for saving your life,” says he, “Mistress French confers upon me her hand and heart. Here,” he says, motioning towards the man at his side, “is the clergyman who will presently marry us.”
“Is this true?” says I, and looked at Alison.
“And what right has Master Richard Coope to ask such a question?” says she, in her haughtiest manner. But she had contrived to get ’twixt me and Anthony, and she gave me a look which signified so much that I saw through all this mystery in an instant. “By heaven!” thinks I, “she has tricked him after all!” And I followed up her clue. “Nay,” says I, sulkily, “it’s naught to me, mistress. But what’s this business that you speak of?”