I had a fair choice, by the rood! to lose my sweetheart or
else lose my life! Well, the cast is thrown--it is to be my life."
"By the mass," cried Lawless, half arising, "I am gone!"
But Dick had his hand at once upon his shoulder.
"Friend Lawless, sit ye still," he said. "An ye have eyes, look
yonder at the corner by the chancel arch; see ye not that, even
upon the motion of your rising, yon armed men are up and ready to
intercept you? Yield ye, friend. Ye were bold aboard ship, when
ye thought to die a sea-death; be bold again, now that y' are to
die presently upon the gallows."
"Master Dick," gasped Lawless, "the thing hath come upon me
somewhat of the suddenest. But give me a moment till I fetch my
breath again; and, by the mass, I will be as stout-hearted as
yourself."
"Here is my bold fellow!" returned Dick. "And yet, Lawless, it
goes hard against the grain with me to die; but where whining
mendeth nothing, wherefore whine?"
"Nay, that indeed!" chimed Lawless.
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