"You speak very lightly, señora. You cannot appreciate the dangers of our situation. While that man is alive, and my cousin still a maid, we may not know a moment's peace! At any time he might even be released! Have you thought of that? Perinat has little credit; his word may not serve against the fiend's papers. What, are we to have him loose amongst us, and you'll sit smiling?" "I was never more in smiling humour," she remarked. "To see you so disturbed, my son! I owe the pirate a debt of gratitude, it seems. And you were within an ace of biting your glove in his face!" "And would do so still!" he said sharply. "Make no mistake, señora, if he and I stand up together with a sword apiece I shall know what to do. If I fear aught it is his wiles, his devilish cunning! A man may not fight against witchcraft. Horrible sin! Deadly danger!" Again he crossed himself. "Do you look to see him waft off Dominica in a cloud of smoke?" she inquired. "I find you ridiculous, Don Diego." "Maybe, maybe. It is easy to sit contemptuous, señora, but you have had no dealings with the man." "I have had some pretty traffic with him. He is a very bold rogue, and I had ever a fondness for such men. Moreover"--her fan waved rhythmically--"I like the merry look he has. A proper man, when all is said. I shall be sorry if I hear he comes not off." "You will be sorry!" he ejaculated. "Oh, señora, will you lead my cousin to him, and say 'God bless you, pirate, take my niece?'" "You are a fool to ask me," said his mother composedly. "I daresay I am as much his enemy as you are, but I have this gift, my son, that I can respect my foes. You may conjure up what nightmares of witchcraft you please; I shall not be in a heat for that. I am sure the man would laugh if he could hear you." He pounced on that. "Yes, señora, yes! And will you tell me that it is not Satan who prompts him to laugh? Will you tell me that a mere man laughs as this warlock does when he faces death, and sees the dead all about him? Perinat could tell a tale!" "I make no doubt he could," agreed Doña Beatrice. "I pray I may not have to hear him. I would stake my life all the magic this man uses is the magic of courage, and the arts you and others such as you have endowed him with. He takes a galleon: witchcraft! you cry. He sacks a town: more witchcraft! He comes into Spain on an errand of romance: foulest witchcraft of all! swear you. Well, I will tell you what I think, and I believe I am not a fool. He is English, therefore a little mad; he is a lover, therefore reckless. If he laughs it is because he is of those sort of men who will laugh though they die for it. There is all his magic." She yawned. "I dare say he will laugh as he goes to the stake, as I fear he will go. You fatigue me, Don Diego, and put me out of all patience with myself that I bore a fool." "Very well, señora," he said hotly, "It's very well! But will you take my cousin into the country?" "Certainly," she said.