"Oh," she said, "it cannot be, it must not be! The man had struck him and he did but return a blow for a blow."
"An arrow for a blow, you mean; the point of a spear for the push of its handle. But, Lady Miriam, you seem to be very deep in the confidence of Caleb. How do you come to know all this?"
"I don't know, I only guess. I daresay, nay, I am sure, that Caleb is quite innocent."
"Why do you take such an interest in Caleb?" asked Marcus suspiciously.
"Because he was my friend and playmate from childhood."
"Umph," he answered, "a strange couple--a dove and a raven. Well, I am glad that you did not catch his temper, or you would be more dangerous even than you are. Now, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to spare Caleb. You, you, you--need not believe those witnesses."
"To think of it!" said Marcus, in mock horror. "To think that one whom I thought so good can prove so immoral. Do you then wish to tempt me from my duty?"
"Yes, I suppose so. At least the peasants round here are great liars."
"Lady," said Marcus, with stern conviction, "Caleb has improved upon his opportunities as a playmate; he has been making love to you. I thought so from the first."
"Oh," she answered, "how can you know that? Besides, he promised that he would never do it again."
"How can I know that? Why, because Caleb would have been a bigger fool than I take him for if he had not. And if it rested with me, certainly he never would do it again. Now be honest with me, if a woman can on such a matter, and tell me true: are you in love with this Caleb?"
"I--I? In love with Caleb? Of course not. If you do not believe me, ask Nehushta."
"Thank you, I will be content with your own reply. You deny that you are in love with him, and I incline to believe you; but, on the other hand, I remember that you would naturally say this, since you might think that any other answer would prejudice the cause of Caleb with me."
"With you! What can it matter to you, sir, whether or no I am in love with Caleb, who, to tell you the truth, frightens me?"
"And that, I suppose, is why you plead so hard for him?"
"No," she answered with a sudden sternness, "I plead hard for him as in like case I would plead hard for you--because he has been my friend, and if he did this deed he was provoked to it."