Slice him down, Mawd! slice him down, and fling him into the river."
"Confess," said Marian, "what brought you here, and how did you
trace our steps?"
"I will confess nothing," said the knight.
"Then confess you, rascal," said the baron, holding his sword
to the throat of the captive squire.
"Take away the sword," said the squire, "it is too near
my mouth, and my voice will not come out for fear:
take away the sword, and I will confess all."
The baron dropped his sword, and the squire proceeded;
"Sir Ralph met you, as you quitted Lady Falkland's castle,
and by representing to her who you were, borrowed from her such
a number of her retainers as he deemed must ensure your capture,
seeing that your familiar the friar was not at your elbow.
We set forth without delay, and traced you first by means
of a peasant who saw you turn into this valley, and afterwards
by the light from the casement of this solitary dwelling.
Our design was to have laid an ambush for you in the morning,
but the storm and your observation of my unlucky face through
the casement made us change our purpose; and what followed you
can tell better than I can, being indeed masters of the subject."
"You are a merry knave," said the baron, "and here is a cup
of wine for you."
"Gramercy," said the squire, "and better late than never:
but I lacked a cup of this before.
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