“Me? with you?”

“My heart has bled for you, madam, for many a year.  It longs now that it had bled itself to death, and never known the last worst agony of telling you—­”

And drawing close to her he whispered in her ear—­what, the brothers heard not—­but her answer was a shriek which rang through the woods, and sent the night-birds fluttering up from every bough above their heads.

“By Heaven!” said Amyas, “I can stand this no longer.  Cut that devil’s throat I must—­”

“She is lost if his dead body is found by her.”

“We are lost if we stay here, then,” said Amyas; “for those negroes will hurry down at her cry, and then found we must be.”

“Are you mad, madam, to betray yourself by your own cries?  The negroes will be here in a moment.  I give you one last chance for life, then:”  and Eustace shouted in Spanish at the top of his voice, “Help, help, servants!  Your mistress is being carried off by bandits!”

“What do you mean, sir?”

“Let your woman’s wit supply the rest:  and forget not him who thus saves you from disgrace.”

Whether the brothers heard the last words or not, I know not; but taking for granted that Eustace had discovered them, they sprang to their feet at once, determined to make one last appeal, and then to sell their lives as dearly as they could.

Eustace started back at the unexpected apparition; but a second glance showed him Amyas’s mighty bulk; and he spoke calmly—­

“You see, madam, I did not call without need.  Welcome, good cousins.  My charity, as you perceive, has found means to outstrip your craft; while the fair lady, as was but natural, has been true to her assignation!”

“Liar!” cried Frank.  “She never knew of our being—­”

“Credat Judaeus!” answered Eustace; but, as he spoke, Amyas burst through the bushes at him.  There was no time to be lost; and ere the giant could disentangle himself from the boughs and shrubs, Eustace had slipped off his long cloak, thrown it over Amyas’s head, and ran up the alley shouting for help.

Mad with rage, Amyas gave chase:  but in two minutes more Eustace was safe among the ranks of the negroes, who came shouting and jabbering down the path.

He rushed back.  Frank was just ending some wild appeal to Rose—­

“Your conscience! your religion!—­”

“No, never!  I can face the chance of death, but not the loss of him.  Go! for God’s sake, leave me!”

“You are lost, then,—­and I have ruined you!”

“Come off, now or never,” cried Amyas, clutching him by the arm, and dragging him away like a child.

“You forgive me?” cried he.

“Forgive you?” and she burst into tears again.

Frank burst into tears also.

“Let me go back, and die with her—­Amyas!—­my oath!—­my honor!” and he struggled to turn back.