less. He waited for an opportunity to excuse himself,
and to explain rather than to deny. But every answer of his only
served to increase the fury of Girasole, who seemed determined to
visit upon the head of the priest and Ethel the rage that he felt at
his last interview with Minnie.

"Then why," cried Girasole, "did you try to trick us? Don't you know
the punishment we give to spies and traitors?"

"I have nothing to do with spies and traitors."

"You are one yourself."

"I am not."

"You lie!"

"I do not," said the priest, mildly. "Hear me, and let me tell my
story, and you will see that I am not a traitor; or, if you don't wish
to listen, then question me."

"There is but one question. What made you bring this lady?"

"That is simply answered," said the priest, with unfaltering calmness.
"This lady and her friends arrived at my village and claimed
hospitality. They were in distress. Some of their friends had been
taken from them. A message came from you requesting my presence, and
also a lady's-maid. There was no stipulation about the kind of one.
This lady was the intimate friend of the captive, and entreated me to
take her, so that she should see her friend, and comfort her, and
share her captivity. I saw no harm in the wish. She proposed to become
a lady's-maid. I saw no harm in that."

"Why did she disguise herself?"

"So as to pass without trouble. She didn't want to be delayed. She
wanted to see her friends as soon as possible. If you had questioned
her, you would no doubt have let her pass."

"I would, no doubt, have done nothing of the kind."

"I don't see any objection," said the priest.

"Objection? She is a spy!"

"A spy? Of what, pray?"

"She came to help her friend to escape."

"To escape? How could she possibly help her to escape? Do you think it
so easy to escape from this place?"

Girasole was silent.

"Do you think a young lady, who has never been out of the care of her
friends before, could do much to assist a friend like herself in an
escape?"

"She might."

"But how? This is not the street of a city. That house is watched, I
think. There seem to be a few men in these woods, if I am not
mistaken. Could this young lady help her friend to elude all these
guards? Why, you know very well that she could not."

"Yes; but then there is--"

"Who?"

"Yourself."

"Myself?"

"Yes."

"What of me?"

"What do I know about your designs?"

"What designs could _I_ have? Do