'Robin will be hanged,' she went on. 'He hath been the only comfort of my life since my husband was taken from me, when he was left an infant in my arms. Robin will be hanged like any common gipsy caught stealing a sheep. He will be hanged, and drawn and quartered, and those goodly limbs of his will be stuck upon poles for all to see!'
Truly I looked for nothing less. Barnaby bade me look for nothing less than this; but at the news I fell into a swoon. So one who knoweth beforehand that he is to feel the surgeon's knife, and thinks to endure the agony without a cry, is fain to shriek and scream when the moment comes.
When I recovered I was sitting at the open window, Madam applying a wet cloth to my forehead.
'Have no fear,' Benjamin was saying. 'She will do what you command her, so only that he may go free.'
'Is there no way but that?' she asked.
'None!' And then he swore a great oath.
My eyes being opened and my sense returned, I perceived that Mrs. Prior was also in the room. And I wondered (in such moments the mind finds relief in trifles) that Benjamin's face should have grown so red and his cheeks so fat.
'Thou hast been in a swoon, my dear,' said Madam. 'But 'tis past.' 'Why is Benjamin here?' I asked.
He looked at Madam, who cast down her eyes, I knew not why.