"I was reckoning on the girl's dower to pay it up," answered Lord Orford, "so you see it's as much to your interest as mine that I should have her. You know she is sole heiress of the De Lisles, and the king dowers her."
The dwarf stuck his tongue into his cheek and muttered, "That's not much of a recommendation."
"Well, you run a risk and so do I; it is for you to make the matter sure," said Lord Orford.
"I can't make her say 'Yes' if she says 'No'," grumbled the dwarf.
"I'm of opinion you have done wrong in carrying her off to Holland. I never bade you do so. I told you to hide her away," said Lord Orford.
"Sure she'd have got the plague if I had not sent her to sea," answered the dwarf.
"I only wish we could get her into the queen's hands," said Lord Orford, "that would settle the matter."
"If that's all you want, it can be easily managed," answered the dwarf; "leave it to me."
"I must, for I can't help myself," muttered Lord Orford. "Now get you gone; I'm sick of you."
The man shuffled the gold into his pockets, and with a "Good-day, sir!" went his way.