"Those who began the story can finish it, for I think their tongues are nimbler than my own," and he glanced wrathfully at Margaret, who laughed outright, while even the solemn d'Aguilar smiled.
"Father," broke in Margaret, "do not be angry with cousin Peter, whose only fault is that he hits too hard.

It is I who am to blame, for I wished to stop to see the king against his will and Betty's, and then--then that brute," and her eyes filled with tears of shame and anger, "caught hold of me, and Peter threw him down, and afterwards, when he attacked him with a sword, Peter killed him with his staff, and--all the rest happened." "It was beautifully done," said d'Aguilar in his soft voice and foreign accent.

"I saw it all, and made sure that you were dead.

The parry I understood, but the way you got your smashing blow in before he could thrust again--ah! that----" "Well, well," said Castell, "let us eat first and talk afterwards.

Senor d'Aguilar, you will honour my poor board, will you not, though it is hard to come from a king's feast to a merchant's fare ?" "It is I who am honoured," answered d'Aguilar; "and as for the feast, his Grace is sparing in this Lenten season.