Part 58 (1/2)
”Nothing that would be like to weigh with you,” replied Sir Oliver And then with a sudden change froed with passion: ”Let us make an end of this cos Hang me, and have done, or set me to walk the plank Play the pirate, for that is a trade you understand But a' God's nae”
Sir John leapt to his feet, his face aflame ”Now, by Heaven, you insolent knave”
But Lord Henry checked hi hiently back into his seat Himself he now addressed the prisoner
”Sir, your words are unworthy one hatever his crihter Your deeds are so notorious--particularly that which caused you to flee fro, and that of your reappearance at Arwenack and the abduction of which you were then guilty--that your sentence in an English court is a one beyond all possible doubt
Nevertheless, it shall be yours, as I have said, for the asking
”Yet,” he added, and his voice was lowered and very earnest, ”were I your friend, Sir Oliver, I would advise you that you rather choose to be dealt with in the summary fashi+on of the sea”
”Sirs,” replied Sir Oliver, ”your right to hang me I have not disputed, nor do I I have no more to say”
”But I have”
Thus Rosa the court with her crisp, sharp utterance All turned to look at her as she rose, and stood tall and co at the table's end
”Rosamund!” cried Sir John, and rose in his turn ”Let me implore you”
She waved him peremptorily, almost contemptuously, into silence
”Since in this ed,” she said, ”I am the person said to have been abducted, it were perhaps well that before going further in this matter you should hear what I lish court”
Sir John shrugged, and sat down again She would have her way, he realized; just as he knew that its only result could be to waste their tiony of the doomed man
Lord Henry turned to her, his manner full of deference ”Since the prisoner has not denied the charge, and since wisely he refrains fro to be taken to trial, we need not harass you, Mistress Rosalish court”
”There you are at fault, my lord,” she answered, her voice very level
”I shall be called upon to say soh seas, as impeach you I shall if you persist in your intent”
”Rosamund!” cried Oliver in his sudden amazement--and it was a cry of joy and exultation
She looked at hie and friendliness and so ing was but a little price to pay Then she turned again to that court, into which her words had flung a sudden consternation
”Since he disdains to deny the accusation, I must deny it for him,” she infored I love Oliver Tressilian I aly with hi a boreater disorder of their wits They sat back, and stared at her with blank faces,incoherencies
”His his wife?” babbled Lord Henry ”You became his”
And then Sir John cut in fiercely ”A lie! A lie to save that foul villain's neck!”
Rosamund leaned towards higish, Sir John,” she said ”Else you would not need re to save hi that is imputed to him” Then she looked at the others ”I think, sirs, that in this h Sir John's or any man's in any court of justice”
”Faith, that's true enough!” ejaculated the bewildered Lord Henry ”A ain he stilled the impetuous Sir John He looked at Sir Oliver, who in truth was very far fro the least bewildered in that company ”What do you say to that, sir?” he asked
”To that?” echoed the almost speechless corsair ”What is there left to say?” he evaded
”'Tis all false,” cried Sir John again ”We itnesses of the event--you and I, Harry--and ”