And as he spoke Dame Gives entered, bearing a light. It was evident from her attire that she had not been in bed. Careless sheathed his sword on her appearance.
"Why have you come here at this hour? What do you want with Urso?" she cried, rushing up to him.
Careless, however, turned away, and said, in a low voice, to Captain Woolfe:
"Explain our errand to her."
"We have come to arrest your husband," said Woolfe.
"Arrest him! What crime has he committed?"
"The highest crime a man can commit," rejoined Woolfe. "He has betrayed the king to his enemies."
"I hope he can disprove the charge—but you will not find him here," she exclaimed. "Master Kilvert will satisfy you that he is not in the house."
"I have striven to do so, but ineffectually," said the host.
"Since it appears that your husband has not returned from his secret visit to the enemy's camp, we must wait for him," said Careless. "Have him we will."