I looked him in the eyes, and let him read
what I would have shown to no other, and felt no shame. "The
Lord may raise her up a helper," I said. "At least she won't have to
marry him."
He turned on his heel and moved back to his former station
between us two. "My Lord Carnal," he said, "and you, Captain
Percy, heed what I say; for what I say I will do. You may take your
choice: either you will sheathe your swords here in my presence,
giving me your word of honor that you will not draw them upon
each other before his Majesty shall have made known his will in
this matter to the Company, and the Company shall have
transmitted it to me, in token of which truce between you you shall
touch each other's hands; or you will pass the time between this
and the return of the ship with the King's and the Company's will
in strict confinement, - you, Captain Percy, in gaol, and you, my
Lord Carnal, in my own poor house, where I will use my best
endeavors to make the days pass as pleasantly as possible for your
lordship. I have spoken, gentlemen."
There was no protest. For my own part, I knew Yeardley too well
to attempt any; moreover, had I been in his place, his course
should have been mine. For my Lord Carnal, - what black thoughts
visited that fierce and sullen brain I know not, but there was
acquiescence in his face, haughty, dark, and vengeful though it
was.
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