Page:Lady Barbarity; a romance (IA ladybarbarityrom00snai).pdf/79

 nobody cares a farthing for. Send me to the Tower! A set of politicians, no handsomer than clergymen and nothing like so humorous. La! Emblem, I would like to see 'em do it!"

I was both angry and amused at this idea, and got into my clothes as quickly as I could, for I was now on fire to go and see the Earl. The notion was really too absurd.

"How is the Captain now?" I inquired, while I dressed.

"His knee is shattered dreadfully," the maid replied, "and he will not be able to leave this house for many weeks."

"That is good news," said I, complacently. "He will be able to amuse me during these long winter evenings. But tell me, Emblem, is that poor prisoner lad reta'en? The Captain swore that his soldiers would retake him in an hour or two."

"They have not returned yet," Emblem answered.

"Excellent!" cried I; "that's made my shoulder better."

And I fell to dancing up and down the chamber in the effervescence of my mood.