His eyes no longer shirked hers, and even his grime and his uncouthness heightened the tragic note that she persisted in hearing.
"I treated our friend here as a gentleman. It was foolish of me. Chevalier, I never ought to have let you out of that ditch."
De Rothan jerked a laugh, and Nance's eyes flashed to Jasper's. They said, "Well done, throw your scorn in his face."
He showed her his chained wrists.
"Pretty things, these, as the result of an affair of honour. Do you know, Nance, he had his men hidden in Darvel's Wood to pelt me with stones so that I should not hurt him."
She gave a dry little laugh, and glanced at De Rothan.
"That was very brave and honourable."
His sudden arrogance showed that he was growing out of patience with their scorn.
"Miss Nance, you have not the sense yet to know men, and the ways of men. If you were only five years older, and if you had been married to Mr. Benham here for five years, I should have had more hope of you. Still, it may be good for you both to remember that I am the man in power."
Jasper eyed him meaningly.