"I need scarce say, sir, that you must have no speech with Mistress Cynthia, nor that never again must you set foot within Castle Marleigh." "I understand, sir; I understand.

But you deal hardly with me." Joseph raised his eyebrows in questioning surprise.
"I was the victim of my oath, given when I knew not against whom my hand was to be lifted.

Oh, sir, am I to suffer all my life for a fault that was not my own?
You, Master Gregory," he cried, turning passionately to Cynthia's father, "you are perchance more merciful?
You understand my position--how I was forced into it." Gregory opened his heavy eyes.
"A plague on you, Master Stewart," he groaned.

"I understand that you have given me a wound that will take a month to heal." "It was an accident, sir.

I swear it was an accident!" "To swear this and that appears to be your chief diversion in life," growled Gregory for answer.