Mistress Nancy Molesworth

. "He hath been told that I have conversed with the maid Nan

after hastily pulling on my sma

g

. "Surely this is a queer time of

I will tell yo

suspicion by refusing." Besides, I was curious to know why he was desirous of seeing me; so without m

owing what to say. But Benet closed the door, and stood

ed?" I asked, watc

replie

hath taken place," I said; "e

have happened." He spok

to do with me

es

t th

. Then he answered me slowly, accor

"All the same, important events have

ing the grin that overspre

g

wo in

m," I sai

our name is no

what

ng for me to say some foolish thing. Whereas the truth was, that I was relieved that the truth was to c

xt?" I r

ou are

e word had not a pleasant sound. "But we will de

oofs enough. One is, that I suspected you a

ret breed," I replied; "it is

pretended to be, I sent a man to the place you said you

I laughed. "And you

d that there was

lms when talking with men. All the[Pg 98] same, I knew tha

a new member of the family," I

r Penryn; but there i

A

ow with a ba

?" I said sneeringly, for I wa

hath wasted

yed women, I ho

t knowing whither he went. My man discovered, however, that he

ath a good nose

d you here, Ro

tter name than Penryn-fa

name for a s

ew!" I said. "You've menti

slowly. "I may mentio

shall make yo

again. "Good!" he said

again, and shall

ey outside; but if I hear it again, there[Pg 99] will be

ther, and then spoke

ve it," he

rent matter," I

the roof of this

nd indicating surprise. I

hen? Am I a p

re you

ner," I replied. "I was curious to s

there, and he l

the meaning of this masquerade? The Trevanions are Protestants. Why did you come her

a wager,"

there are dungeons here

be just like a Killigrew to t

answered w

est," I

ited your right

thing for a man to travel und

g

t to get out of his chamber window,

f a curious dispos

had gained much advantage. But I deter

chamber two hours past midnight. Why? You must have somethin

me to you

ed my sh

r right to be considered as a guest. Nevertheless I remembe

for him t

e been a-that is, you are not what you pretended to be. You hav

to know your f

children. Otherwise you would not have been welcomed so warmly, nor would you have been asked to remain while Polperro sought to degrade

g for your m

f his life, and as a consequence obtained secrets from him; and you have sought for, and obtained, an interview with my affianced wife

pla

hat you Trevanions n

e strange to

e decided to let you leave Endellion in

very me

have abused our h

ut your co

s, that you never breathe to any living soul anything whic

e whole of

as a Trevanion. I know that if you

the s

asily. He lost that calm self-possession which characterized him when he spoke

roof of the house!" he cried.

hear the conditio

that one of your reasons for coming here?" he asked ea

s he spoke of the maid I had seen that night. I remarked a

I said, trying as well as I could to see my way t

tress Molesworth; that you never speak of her within one month from this time; that

luck would have it, too, I turned my eyes in the directi

103] loveth not Otho, and it would take but litt

e purpose of gaining time than anything else. "W

er name is Nancy?"

o name it. But what h

u had climbed to the roof where she walks, I determined that you should be kept in safety until such time as-

me as though he would speak, but

ibingly. "She is not to be a nun, I suppose. And I

her!" he cried, like one be

, pr

stood to him,-"because she is my betrothed wife! Because she bel

ove[Pg 104] you," I said. "And if she loves

sitated, evidently realizing that he had said more

do not?"

s," he said. "If you will not give your sacred promise, yo

hinking a moment. "You say you are betrothed to

naught

t Otho would carry out his threat. Even were I friendly disposed towards her and John Polperro, I could do them no good by refusing to abide by Otho Killigrew's conditions. Then I remembered the look of loathing on the maid's face as she spok

will, for I felt I dared not sneak out of the house in such a way. After all, I was a Trevanion, and came of an honoura

!" he cried l

u, I would not have given either of you a second thought. But even although it may not be possible for me to lift a finger on her behalf, I will not bin

e an angry cry, and then leaped on me; but I threw him from me. I looked around for my sword; but before

t three is weary work, and at length I was dragged from the room. One thing I could not help noticing, however: Benet took no part in the bus

lls might hinder me, but my promise did not. It might be possible to escape in spite of the bolts of a jailer-my people had done this often; but none had ever tried to escape from their promises. Then I thought of my promise to Peter Trevisa. Well, I knew not at the t

longer skulk under the name of Penryn. I did not believe the Killigrews would murder me, neither would they starve me. I was not a weakling, and I could look for

s a window; but it was very narrow, revealing a small aperture, the sides of which were composed of strong masonry. Over the aperture was a heavy iron grating, which grating was on a level with th

bearing food and the other my clothes. Neither spoke, although the one I had known as Sam Daddo looked less surly than the other. I remembered that he was a lover of Mistres

s intended that I shall be ke

each seemed more futile than the other. I tried the strength of the window bars, and found that they did not yield to pressure. I

g

l was brought to me, b

ossing the courtyard outside. But when night came I would try the window bars again. I noticed an iron clamp on t

self as a foolish dreamer for refusing to promise not to render her any assistance should she wish to escape Otho Killigrew. Perhaps my bargain with old Peter Trevisa and his son had somewhat to do with it. The rest I put down to the foolish impulse of the moment. For why should the memory of her face make me grow angry

, although I was sure I saw him wink at me in a meaning way. I was not slow to interpret this, especially when, a few seconds later, I saw it repeated. He remained silent, however, in spite of my frequent questions, so I gave up talking, continuing only to

ked the door, and I listened to their footsteps as th

to my window and unfolded the piece of paper I had taken from Sam Daddo's hand. Only a fe

me; but means may be offered for your escape. I need a friend sorely, for I am in dire danger, and I am a weak, ignorant girl. Once at Polperro, I should be safe. The one[Pg 1

ad spurned me as a liar. But I bore her no grudge for that-I had deserved it. It was apparent Sam Daddo had told his sweetheart what had passed between Otho Killigrew and myself. He had doubtless listened at the door, and heard all. This, perchance, had led the maid to write me. Yet she kn

p from my couch, and apply it to what I thought a weak spot in my window. The result of this was doubtful, and could not be attempted unti

g

I heard footsteps outside. Then the d

ype="