Doña Beatrice picked up her fan. "I will give you one you may perceive to be good, child. If you stay here you may haply be examined. Now I do not want that." "I am very willing, aunt. I can but say what I have said." "King Philip, and the Holy Inquisition," said her aunt gently, "are not nice in their methods of obtaining information. Enough harm has been done already without you becoming suspected to be a heretic." She rose, and went with her languid step to the door. "We will have you safe married, my dear, and think out some tale against our need. As I see it, my child, you cannot better serve this bold lover of yours than to give the lie in such a way to those who suspect you and him." The attack was renewed again next day, by Don Diego now, curbing his anger. He pressed marriage on his cousin, hinted his father might intercede for El Beauvallet, besought her to wed him at once, and trust to his good offices to help Beauvallet. These were blundering tactics; Dominica curled her lip at them and him. Well she knew that once his identity was proved no power under the sun could save Beauvallet. The Holy Inquisition would step in and claim him; it was not necessary for Don Diego to tell her that she would see her lover burned at the stake. She knew it, had faced the horror squarely, and would not now change colour. Desperate need lent her courage, and agility of mind. She never hesitated, never blanched, could still laugh her scorn. "This is very kind, cousin!" she said tauntingly. "And if the unfortunate gentleman were indeed El Beauvallet and beloved of me no doubt I should avail myself of your offer." Oh, but her tongue had a sting in it still! She watched him flush, and bite his lip. She curtseyed. "But I have no interest in the Chevalier de Guise, good my cousin, and I doubt he does not stand in need of my help." He took her wrist and shook it. "You think you hoodwink me? You think I do not know that fellow for what he is? Well, you shall see him burn!" She smiled disdainfully. "Shall I so? I think it is you, my cousin, who will know yourself for a fool before many days are out. Loose my wrist. You will get nothing by this usage." He left her, sought out his mother. He was in a fret, biting his nails; he flew out upon her coolness, and was urgent with her to have the girl away at once. Doña Beatrice regarded him blandly. She seemed amused by his agitation, and set her finger at the root of it. "One would say, my dear Diego, that you went in considerable fear of this Englishman." "I do not fear any man, señora, but this devil----" He crossed himself. "There's witchcraft at work! You have not talked with Perinat. He tells me--in league with the devil, señora! What, could he have come otherwise into Spain, or sunk so many good ships of ours? We know El Draque to employ evil arts, and this man was trained under him." "Witchcraft?" said Doña Beatrice. Her shoulders shook. "I wonder if his arts will bring him off from that prison?"