"Let us seek Master Castell that he may hear the story." "And we thank you much for coming to warn us," murmured Margaret.

"I will go find my father," and she slipped past him towards the door.
D'Aguilar watched her enter it, then turned to Peter and said: "You English are a hardy folk who take the spring air so early.

Well, in such company I would do the same.

Truly she is a beauteous maiden.

I have some experience of the sex, but never do I remember one so fair." "My cousin is well enough," answered Peter coldly, for this Spaniard's very evident admiration of Margaret did not please him.
"Yes," answered d'Aguilar, taking no notice of his tone, "she is well enough to fill the place, not of a merchant's daughter, but of a great lady--a countess reigning over towns and lands, or a queen even; the royal robes and ornaments would become that carriage and that brow." "My cousin seeks no such state who is happy in her quiet lot," answered Peter again; then added quickly, "See, here comes Master Castell seeking you." D'Aguilar advanced and greeted the merchant courteously, noticing as he did so that, notwithstanding his efforts to appear unconcerned, Castell seemed ill at ease.
"I am an early visitor," he said, "but I knew that you business folk rise with the lark, and I wished to catch our friend here before he went out," and he repeated to him the reason of his coming.
"I thank you, Senor," answered Castell.