"
"It is the other I crave--that which is red with his blood! Oh!
joyful night when my lips have been wet with it! Now I can die in
peace!"
"We must go, Aylward," said Simon. "In another hour the dawn will
have broken. In daytime a rat could not cross this island and
pass unseen. Come, man, and at once!"
But Aylward was at the woman's side. "Come with us, fair dame,"
said he. "Surely we can, at least, take you from this island, and
no such change can be for the worse."
"Nay," said she, "the saints in Heaven cannot help me now until
they take me to my rest. There is no place for me in the world
beyond, and all my friends were slain on the day I was taken.
Leave me, brave men, and let me care for myself. Already it
lightens in the east, and black will be your fate if you are
taken. Go, and may the blessing of one who was once a holy nun go
with you and guard you from danger!"
Sir Robert Knolles was pacing the deck in the early morning, when
he heard the sound of oars, and there were his two night-birds
climbing up the side.
"So, fellow," said he, "have you had speech with the King of
Sark?"
"Fair sir, I have seen him."
"And he has paid his forfeit?"
"He has paid it, sir!"
Knolles looked with curiosity at the bag which Simon bore. "What
carry you there?" he asked.
"The stake that he has lost."
"What was it then? A goblet? A silver plate?"
For answer Simon opened his bag and shook it on the deck.
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