to his father--abusing his whole household in general, and his son in
particular, in the most outrageous manner, for thus receiving the
favour she had done to their beggarly, ill-favoured, ill-nurtured
daughter. Richard stood still and grave, his hat in his hand, as
unmoved and tranquil as if he had been breasting a stiff breeze on
the deck of his ship, with good sea-room and confidence in all his
tackle, never even attempting to open his lips, but looking at the
Countess with a steady gaze which somehow disconcerted her, for she
demanded wherefore he stared at her like one of his clumsy hinds.

"Because her Ladyship does not know what she is saying," he replied.

"Darest thou! Thou traitor, thou viper, thou unhanged rascal, thou
mire under my feet, thou blot on the house! Darest thou beard me--
me?" screamed my Lady. "Darest thou--I say--"

If the sailor had looked one whit less calm and resolute, my Lady
would have had her clenched fist on his ear, or her talons in his
beard, but he was like a rock against which the billows expended
themselves, and after more of the tempest than need stain these
pages, she deigned to demand what he meant or had to say for his son.

"Solely this, madam, that my son had never even heard of Babington's
suit, far less that he had your Ladyship's good-will. He found him
kneeling to Cicely in the garden, and the girl, distressed and
dismayed at his importunity. There were hot words and drawn blades.
That was the whole. I parted them and saw them join hands."

"So saith Master Babington. He is willing to overlook the insult, so
will I and my Lord, if you will atone for it by instantly consenting