The guerilla laughed, now angered by her manner.
"Well, I thought I'd tell you who I was so you wouldn't try any high and mighty business," he said coarsely, and eying her fiercely. "That ain't the sort o' thing that goes with me, an' yer ain't the first one I've taken down a peg or two. However, I don't mean you no harm, only you'd better behave yourself. Yer know that man over there, don't yer?"
He indicated with a nod of the head, and Claire glanced in that direction, but without speaking.
"I recognize Captain Grant, if that is what you mean."
"I was speaking English, wasn't I? Yer ought ter know him--yer engaged ter him, ain't yer?"
"This is not my fault, Claire," he exclaimed swiftly. "Don't blame me for it. I am also a prisoner, and helpless."
She never looked at him, never answered, her entire attention concentrated on Fagin, who was grinning with enjoyment.
"That's sure right, young lady," he said grimly. "The Captain is only obeyin' orders ter save his own neck. There's no love lost atween us, let me tell yer. But we're not so blame merciless after all, an', I reckon, we've got about all thar is in the house worth cartin' away. Now we're goin' to have some fun, an' leave two happy hearts behind. Ain't that it, Jones? Clinton's licked; Washington has his hands full up north; an' this hull blame country is ours. Somewhere, Mistress, I've heard tell that you an' this Captain was pretty thick--how is it?"
Her eyes exhibited indignant surprise, but, after an instant's hesitation, her lips answered.
"I hardly know what you mean, sir. We were children together."
"There was an arrangement of that nature between our parents. But why should this interest you?"
He ignored the question, but his eyes hardened.
"I heard it this way. You were engaged until a few weeks ago. Then you met a damned Continental, a spy, an' imagined yer fell in love with him. Now do yer know what interest I've got? I'm with the Red-coats, an' if I can turn a trick fer that side I'm a-goin' ter do it. You'll be blessin' me fer it some day. Now, see here, girl, I'm a-goin' ter marry yer off before leavin' this house. I reckon yer ain't intendin' to make no fuss about it, are yer?"
She did not appear to comprehend, to realize the man was in earnest; she even smiled slightly.