She
was gone, and the sunlight with her.
When I turned upon that shameless lord where he sat in his evil
beauty, with his honor dead before him, men came hastily in
between. I put them aside with a laugh. I had but wanted to look at
him. I had no sword, - already he lay beneath my challenge, - and
words are weak things.
At length he rose, as arrogant as ever in his port, as evilly superb in
his towering pride, and as amazingly indifferent to the thoughts of
men who lied not. "This case hath wearied me," he said. "I will
retire for a while to rest, and in dreams to live over a past
sweetness. Give you good-day, gentles! Sir Francis Wyatt, you will
remember that this gentleman did resist arrest, and that he lieth
under the King's displeasure!" So saying he clapped his hat upon
his head and walked out of the cabin. The Company's officers drew
a long breath, as if a fresher air had come in with his departure.
"I have no choice, Captain Percy, but to keep you still under
restraint, both here and when we shall reach Jamestown," said the
Governor. "All that the Company, through me, can do, consistent
with its duty to his Majesty, to lighten your confinement shall be
done" -
"Then send him not again into the hold, Sir Francis!" exclaimed
the Treasurer, with a wry face.
The Governor laughed. "Lighter and sweeter quarters shall be
found.
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