THE PIRATES OF SEGXA. 347 



iii a voice half-choked with passion. " By all the 

 saints ! " she continued, with a furioiis look at Stras- 

 olda, "I believe thy father, Pansowich, to be the 

 cause of this delay ; for well I knoAV it is with small 

 goodwill he pays the tribute. But if the thieving 

 knaves thus play me false, if the Easter gift is want- 

 ing, and for lack of jewels I am compelled to plead 

 sickness, and pass to-morrow in my apartment, instead 

 of, as heretofore, eclipsing every rival by the splen- 

 dour of my jewels, rest assured, maiden, that thy 

 robber friends shall pay dearly for their neglect A 

 word from me, and thy father, brethren, and kinsmen 

 grace the gallows, and their foul eyrie is levelled with 

 the dust." 



Strasolda pressed her hands upon her heart, and 

 burst into a flood of tears. Then throwing herself at 

 the lady's feet 



"That word you will never have the cruelty to 

 utter," cried she. " Bethink you, noble lady, of the 

 perils to which they are exposed. The bravest cannot 

 command success, and you know not yet whether their 

 last expedition may not have been unprosperous." 



" I ! " replied her irritated mistress. " How should 

 I be privy to their proceedings ] But you ought to 

 be able to give some tidings. Wherefore did you not 

 accompany your father this last voyage 1 " 



" I told you, lady," answered Strasolda, " that I 

 was busied with plans for the deliverance of the 

 Uzcoques now held captive in Venice. I have 



