rce, you may," replied Plessis; "but the
consequence be upon your own head."
"Come, come, Plessis," replied the other--"you know you don't like a
noise and a piece of work more than any one else. Do the matter
cunningly, man, as you are accustomed to do. Get the fellow in the
hall, there, down quietly out of the passage into the brandy
cellar--I will follow him and lock him in. When that's done, all the
rest is easy."
Plessis smiled at a trick exactly suited to his taste; but he
hesitated, nevertheless, at putting it in execution, lest the fact of
his having taken any part therein should come to the knowledge of
men, from whom, at different times, he derived considerable
advantage. Present evils, however, are always more formidable than
distant ones, and Wilton bethought him of trying what a little
intimidation would do with the good Frenchman.
"Listen to me, sir," he said, in a stern tone. "Instantly do what
you are told, or take the consequences. Here is my authority from
the Secretary of State, to demand the person of this young lady from
the hands of any one with whom I may find her. A Messenger came down
with me to High Halstow, with a warrant for the arrest of any person
who may be found detaining her. It is, however, my wish to do all
things quietly, if you will allow me. The Duke, her father, does not
desire the business to be conducted with harshness--"
"A duke!" exclaimed Plessis, opening his eyes with astonishment. "A
duke and peer! Why, they only told me that she was the daughter of
some turncoat, who would betray them, they feared, if they had not
his daughter in pawn."
"They deceived you!" replied Wilton--"she is the daughter of the Duke
of Gaveston. But I have no time to discuss such points with you.
Instantly do what you are told. Get the man out of the way quietly;
give the lady up into my hands, as you are hereby formally required
to do, or I immediately quit the house, raise the hue and cry, and in
less than an hour this place shall be surrounded by a hundred men."
Plessis hesitated no longer. "Force majeure!" he cried. "Force
majeure! No one can resist that. What am I to do? I will act
exactly according to your bidding. You are witness, madam, that I
yield to compulsion."
"Yes, Monsieur Plessis," replied the Lady Helen, "lawful compulsion."
"Well, Plessis, do as I bid you, at once," replied the Captain. "Get
the man down into the brandy cellar, quickly!--I saw the door open as
I passed--and either lock him in or