Holt, with a look of malicious satisfaction, beheld every fresh
disappointment, which he followed with undisguised expressions of
ill-will.
"Now for the women's apartments," said the officer.
"I have but one daughter. Dost fancy that treason may be stitched in her
petticoat? Thinkest thou she would hide this invisible gallant in her
bedchamber? 'Sdeath, that it should ha' come to this! But I'll have my
revenge."
"I would fain spare thee from this contumely, but"----
"But what?"
"I must search the house through; and though I doubt not now that our
information is false, yet I may not disobey the mandate I have
received."
"Is this thy courtesy?"
"My courtesy must yet consist with the true and honest discharge of mine
office. I wait not further parley."
A short gallery communicated from the stairhead to the private chamber
of Constance. They met her outside the door; and the timid girl grew
pale as she beheld the officer led on by her father.
"Constance," cried he, "thy chamber smacks of treason: it must be purged
from this suspicion. This mousing owl will search the crannies even of a
woman's wits ere he sate his appetite for discovery.
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