"You are trustful, O sciu Johann Constantine. I have heard that all
Englishmen tell the truth, and expect it, and are otherwise mad."
"I trust to nothing, Princess, until I have the Queen Emilia's word.
That I would trust to my life's end."
She nodded darkly. "You shall go to her--if you can find her."
"Tell me where to seek her."
"She lies at Nonza in Capo Corse; or peradventure the Genoese, who
hold her prisoner, have by this time carried her across to the
Continent."
"Though she were in Genoa itself, I would deliver her or die."
"You will probably die, O Englishman, before you receive her answer;
and that will be a pity--yes, a great pity. But you are free to go,
you and your company--all but your son here, this King of Corsica
that is to be, whom I keep as hostage, with his crown. Eh? Is this
not a good bargain I offer you?"
"Be it good or bad, Princess," my father answered, "to make a bargain
takes two."
"That is true," said I, stepping forward with a laugh, and thrusting
myself between the Corsicans, who had begun to press around with
decided menace in their looks.
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