Page 110 (1/1)

For a while she stood looking down on lanced otherwhere yet, conscious of her regard, stirred uneasily so that my irons rattled dismally

"Sir," says she at last, but there I stayed her

"Madam, once and for all, I aentle voice, "Master Penfeather telleth you refused the honourable service I offered--I pray you wherefore?"

"Because I've no mind to serve a Brandon"

"Yet you steal aboard my ship, Master Conisby, you eat the food my money hath paid for! Doth this suffice your foolish, stubborn pride?" Here, finding nought to say, I scowled at hed a little, as I had been some fretful, peevish child: "Why are you here in eance? Tellyour wicked vengeance?"

"Mine is a just vengeance!"

"Vengeance, howsoever just, is God's--leave it unto God!" At this I was silent again, whereupon she continued, her voice h ed you and yourshow shall his death profit you--?"

"Ha!" I cried, staring up at her troubled face, "Can it be you know this for very truth at last? Are you satisfied of eance just? Have ye proof of Sir Richard's black treachery--confess!" Now at this her eyes quailed before ive hi stately head

"Speak!" says I, fiercely "Have ye the truth of it at last?"

"'Tis that bringethon his behalf and on his behalf to offer such reparation as I s you did endure we can never atone, butin all other ways--"

"Never!" says I, scowling "What is done--is done, and I am--what I am But for yourself his sin toucheth you no whit"

"How?" cried she passionately "Am I not his flesh--his blood? 'Twas but lately I learned the truth from his secret papersandO 'twas all thereeven the price he paid to have you carried to the plantations! So aiveness for him and for meto humble myself before yousee thusthus, uponall the ware and tuht of her eyes, I was moved beyond speech, and ever she knelt there bowed and shaken in her mute abasement