"
Lady Bassett looked with surprise at the child, he uttered this resolve
with such a steady resolution.
She drew him to her, and kissed him on the forehead.
"No, Reginald," said she; "we must not shed blood; it is as wicked to
kill our enemies as to kill any one else. But never speak to him, never
even listen to him; if he tries to speak to you, run away from him, and
don't let him--he is our enemy."
That same day she went to Mrs. Meyrick, to examine her. But she found
the boy had told her all there was to tell.
Mrs. Meyrick, whose affection for her was not diminished, was downright
vexed. "Dear me!" said she; "I did think I had kept that from vexing of
you. To think of the dear child hiding it for nigh two years, and then
to blurt it out like that! Nobody heard him I hope?"
"Others heard; but--"
"Didn't heed; the Lord be praised for that."
"Mary," said Lady Bassett, solemnly, "I am not equal to another battle
with Mr. Richard Bassett; and such a battle! Better tell all, and die."
"Don't think of it," said Mary. "You're safe from Richard Bassett now.
Times are changed since he came spying to my gate. His own boy is gone.
You have got two. He'll lie still if you do. But if you tell your tale,
he must hear on't, and he'll tell his. For God's sake, my lady, keep
close.
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