Then for the second time that day my quick blood boiled in me, and
snatching up the Spaniard's sword that lay upon the grass beside me,
I held it at the point, for the game was changed, and I who had fought
with cudgel against sword, must now fight with sword against cudgel. And
had it not been that Lily with a quick cry of fear struck my arm from
beneath, causing the point of the sword to pass over his shoulder,
I believe truly that I should then and there have pierced her father
through, and ended my days early with a noose about my neck.
'Are you mad?' she cried. 'And do you think to win me by slaying my
father? Throw down that sword, Thomas.'
'As for winning you, it seems that there is small chance of it;' I
answered hotly, 'but I tell you this, not for the sake of all the maids
upon the earth will I stand to be beaten with a stick like a scullion.'
'And there I do not blame you, lad,' said her father, more kindly. 'I
see that you also have courage which may serve you in good stead, and it
was unworthy of me to call you "pill-box" in my anger. Still, as I have
said, the girl is not for you, so be gone and forget her as best you
may, and if you value your life, never let me find you two kissing
again. And know that to-morrow I will have a word with your father on
this matter.'
'I will go since I must go,' I answered, 'but, sir, I still hope to
live to call your daughter wife.
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