“Because it would excite suspicion which we must avoid—do not interrupt me. I will invite you both or get you there upon some other pretext, and then I will arrange that she shall be brought ashore again and you taken on. Leave it all to me, only swear that you will obey any instructions I may send you for if you do not, I tell you that we have enemies in high places who may part us for ever. Betty, I will be frank, there is a great lady who is jealous, and watches you very closely. Do you swear?” “Yes, yes, I swear. But about the great lady?” “Not a word about her—on your life—and mine. You shall hear from me shortly. And now, sweetheart—good-night.” “Good-night,” said Betty, but still she did not stir. Then, understanding that she expected something more, d’Aguilar nerved himself to the task, and touched her hair with his lips. Next moment he regretted it, for even that tempered salute fanned her passion into flame. Throwing her arms about his neck Betty drew his face to hers and kissed him many times, till at length he broke, half choking, from her embrace, and escaped into the street. “Mother of Heaven!” he muttered to himself, “the woman is a volcano in eruption. I shall feel her kisses for a week,” and he rubbed his face ruefully with his hand. “I wish I had made some other plan; but it is too late to change it now—she would betray everything. Well, I will be rid of her somehow, if I have to drown her. A hard fate to love the mistress and be loved of the maid!” CHAPTER IX. THE SNARE. On the following morning, when Castell returned, Margaret told him of the visit of d’Aguilar, and of all that had passed between them, told him also that he was acquainted with their secret, since he had spoken of her as half a Jew. “I know it, I know it,” answered her father, who was much disturbed and very angry, “for yesterday he threatened me also. But let that go, I can take my chance; now I would learn who brought this man into my house when I was absent, and without my leave.” “I fear that it was Betty,” said Margaret, “who swears that she thought she did no wrong.” “Send for her,” said Castell. Presently Betty came, and, being questioned, told a long story. She said she was standing by the side door, taking the air, when Señor d’Aguilar appeared, and, having greeted her, without more words walked into the house, saying that he had an appointment with the master. “With me?” broke in Castell. “I was absent.” “I did not know that you were absent, for I was out when you rode away in the afternoon, and no one had spoken of it to me, so, thinking that he was your friend, I let him in, and let him out again afterwards. That is all I have to say.” “Then I have to say that you are a hussy and a liar, and that, in one way or the other, this Spaniard has bribed you,” answered Castell fiercely. “Now, girl, although you are my wife’s cousin, and therefore my daughter’s kin, I am minded to turn you out on to the street to starve.”