"By holy Paul! if that Lady's name passes your unworthy lips, my good
rapier shall pass straight through your unhallowed carcase!" exclaimed
the Cavalier fiercely, at the same time throwing back his cloak, and
drawing his sword more than half out of his scabbard.
"Hey ho! two can play at that: I never eat my words; so, the sword in
one hand, and the Canary in the other--to the health of----"
His mouth was stopped by the application of the palm of Robin's broad
hand to his unclosed lips; while he whispered some words into his ear,
that had the magical effect of restoring the weapon to its sheath, and
of inducing the braggart to resume the seat he had so hastily abandoned,
grumbling, in an under tone, words that fell indistinctly upon the ear
of his opposer.
"Let us home; it is a long and a dreary road to Cecil Place, and the
night is upon us already! so up, good Solomon. Here, landlord! this
fatted calf is unable to move: give him house-room till to-morrow; and
mind you put him on his way in time for the dinner-hour," was Robin's
parting speech. He then exchanged rough, but kindly salutations, with
his boon companions; and soon the trio--Walter, Springall, and Robin had
taken a by-path, leading to the part of the island in which Cecil Place
was situated.