"You've got me all in a sweat." "Here." "Charge." "Harry, you still haven't answered my question." "Have you arranged with Lord Rockingham to meet us tonight?" "Well no." "What difference does that make?" "Have you ever been so bored, you'd do something you'd regret." "Stop jumping from one thing to another." "What does it matter if we do meet Rockingham?" "I shan't have anything more to do with him." "If you ever invite him to this house again I shall leave it." "Dona!" "So you'll leave the house, will you?" "Yes and take the children." " Oh, you will?" "Where do you think you'll go?" " I don't know but go I will." "You're in one of your moods again." "That's it, isn't it?" "What the devil have you got against Rock?" "I will not enjoy his familiarity any longer." "Why shouldn't he be familiar?" "He's my best friend." "Why must you persist in being so blind." "Your insistence in our being seen everywhere with him is making me one of the most notorious women in London." "Fiddle de Dee Dona." ""Notorious!"" "Yes." "I did promise Rock again." "Not don't make a scene." "What have you been doing to Dona?" "What's it all about?" "Another mood, another impulse." "That's Dona." "But she's angry as sin." "You better go see what's the matter." "Confound the woman that can't get along with a man's friends?" "Come here." "I won't let you get away!" "Dona." "When are you going to stop this fencing?" "There's only one way it can end." "No sense in making Harry think you're angry with me." "He's too easy going to care." "You never laugh except when you imply no woman can resist you." "It amuses me to find I am invariably right." "It is one time you are mistaken." " Oh but I'm not." "You let Harry bring you to a place like this to sit cheek by jowl with these ladies, the only wife among them." "Take your hand away." " No." "You think more of your kisses and have less reason to than anyone." "Show in the ball." "Harry, please take me home." " No, I won't." "Rock won a great deal of money and I want to get it back." "Fool!" "6:00 of a clear morning!" "What's this?" "What's going on here?" "Hey!" "Dona!" "Dona." "What is this?" "Dona!" "Dona!" "There you are." "Rock is here, wants to apologize." "He says he lost his head." "Where are you going?" " I'm going to Navron." "We haven't been there in years." "Damp, moldy and full of ghosts." "It is full of ghosts, ghosts of a happiness that is lost." "I'll try to get it back." " You've lost your wits." "Perhaps I've just recovered them." "I've been planning a part for you because you insisted on it." "But I won't play it anymore." "I'm done with this stupid, futile life we lead here." "And the company you choose to keep." "If you think I'm going chasing after you, you're wrong." "How far have you come?" " From London in five days." "Where be you going?" "Navron House, near Elford." "I shouldn't if I were you." "They say pirates come into the river there." "Pirates?" " Cutthroats from here to here." "Come on there!" "Navron, my lady." "Hello the house!" "I hate old houses my lady." "Tom, you sent a messenger ahead didn't you?" "Yes my lady." "Call out again." "Hello the house!" "Ghost and ghouls and things that go bump in the night." "Deliver us." "Welcome to Navron, my lady." "Who are you?" " Viliam, my lady." "It smells like a tomb." "I don't remember you." "You were not here when we came last." "No, my lady." "There was an old man here." "I can't remember his name." "I heard he could barely walk." "Where is he now?" "In his grave my lady." "And you've replaced him then;" " Yes my lady." "Your accent is foreign." "I'd forgotten Cornish people speak strangely." "It is Cornish, isn't it?" "A most curious accent my lady." "It's been closed much too long." "There's dust everywhere." "You haven't noticed it?" " I had noticed it." "But as your ladyship never comes to Navron, it seems scarcely worthwhile to see the rooms are clean." "It is difficult to take pride in work that is never seen." "The idleness just makes the idle servant." "Naturally my lady." "Please see that every room is swept and dusted, that all the silver is cleaned, that there are flowers..." "That everything takes place as though the mistress had not been idle but had lived here." "Indeed, had never gone away at all." "It will be my personal pleasure." "Did I ever really look like that?" "Tobacco?" "P. RONSARD'S BOOKS, GENTLEMAN OF VENDOMOLS" "Off we go." "White flowers in my room." "Good morning Viliam." " Good morning my lady." "The children and I have decided to have a picnic." "I felt confident you would." "I asked cook to prepare a suitable basket." "Thank you Viliam." "We shall be near the chapel." "You can bring the basket at noon." "Yes my lady." "My lady." "Lord Godolphin." "Madame." " Lord Godolphin." "I'm enchanted to see you." "Won't you sit down?" "I just heard this morning that you were at Navron." "I came over to pay my respects." "Oh, your two?" "I knew Harry as a boy." " Indeed?" "My wife would have come but she's not well at the moment." "I understand." " We hope for an heir." "Harry is not here." "I came alone with the children." "That's a great pity." "Harry might have given us some help." "You've heard of our troubles of course?" "I've heard nothing." " Really?" "Too remote here, I suppose." "We've been vexed by pirates." "At our wits end." "My neighbor's estate was sacked only a week ago." "How distressing." " It's an outrage!" "We complain to London and we get a few soldiers." "The squires of the county must stand together." "Is there anything I can do?" " Nothing my dear young lady." "Except to ask Harry to come and help us fight this Frenchman." "Frenchman?" "The French have made a habit of coming call ever since..." "Since the Cornish pirates have gone over into France." "If you like to put it that way." "I don't think you realize how serious this matter is." "We're constantly robbed." "Our women sleep in terror of their lives." "And not only their lives..." " That kind of a pirate?" "What?" "Well really madam." "I must be getting home before dark." "Good day madam." " Give my duty to your wife." "Madame I will." "Viliam." " My lady." "I came here to be alone." " Yes." "I understand." "It will not occur again." "You shall make good your escape." "Escape?" "You have uncanny intuition." "Where did you get it?" " From my late master." "Much of my philosophy is borrowed from him." "I think he'd term your arrival here an escape." "Why did you leave your master?" "His life is such that my services would be of little use to him." "He..." "He travels my lady." " He's a fugitive too?" "People who travel are always fugitives." "Yes, my master has often made the same observation." "His life, if I may say so, is just one continual escape." "How I envy him." "The rest of us can only run away from time to time." "However much we pretend to be free, we know it's only for a while." "Yes." "I think you and my master would have much in common." "Come Henrietta." "It's time for naps." "You may go." "I'll bring the children." " Yes my lady." "Come on Jamie." "Come get dressed." "Come on." "Come on my boy." "Did you have a nice day today?" " No." "You didn't?" "Yes you did." "You loved it." "You don't want to go home?" "Love is a friend of mine, my best friend." "Love is a friend of mine." "Love is my affection." "I spend my nights singing to love." "Let me go!" "It seems you have been spying upon my ship." "On the contrary." "It seems our men have been trespassing on my land." "My very humble apologies." "I had not realized the lady of the manor had come in person." "Is it by your orders I was ceased and brought here?" "My men are told to bring in anyone who ventures to the creek." "In a sack?" "You're not hurt, are you?" "No." "Then what are you complaining about?" "Because I am not accustomed to being treated in such a manner." "Of course not." "But it will do you no harm." "Madame, please." "Well..." "What will you do with me?" " Yes..." "I must consult my book of rules." "I have made no arrangements to deal with females." "Most remissibly." "That's better." "Oh!" "What's the matter?" " It was you." "You left that tobacco jar in my bedroom." "Did I?" "How careless of Viliam not to have noticed." "So it was for you Viliam stayed and sent all the servants away." "While we were in London you slept in my bedroom." "Somehow I was sure you wouldn't mind." "Why were you so sure?" " I consulted your portrait." ""My lady", I said very humbly" ""would you grant a weary Frenchman the courtesy of your bed?"" "Well?" "You bowed gracefully and gave me permission." "I did?" " Yes." "If I'd known for one moment..." " What would you have done?" "I'd have come down from the wall and behaved quite differently." "I don't believe you." "Why not?" "Because when I lay there looking at you that was not how you behaved." "How did I behave?" "Very differently." "I must be going." "My children will wonder what's happened to me." "Love is a friend of mine, my best friend." "Love is a friend of mine." "Love is my affection." "I spend my nights singing to love." "They know at once when we return." "They come in dozens." "Perhaps they have a fellow feeling for the ship." "My fault for naming her La Mouette." "La Mouette?" "Of course, the Seagull..." "I must return your call." "Oh?" " A matter of courtesy." "Of course." "What is the correct hour?" "The afternoon?" "And you offer me a dish of tea?" "No, a pirate does not call upon a lady in the afternoon." "He comes by night rapping upon a window." "And the lady of the manor fearful for her safety, gives him supper by candlelight." "As you will." "My lady, can I be of assistance?" "Viliam, I thought I told the servants to go to bed." "They are in bed." "I remained up because I thought you might want some help." "So you know?" " Yes my lady." "How did you know Viliam?" "When you returned this afternoon there was something about your eyes." "They were, if I may say without offense, very much alive." "I said, it has happened." "They have met at last." "Why at last?" "I am a fatalist by nature." "I've always known sooner or later this meeting would come about." "I propose to behave outrageously." "So it would seem my lady." " Are you shocked;" "No." " Why not?" "Nothing you or my master ever did could possibly shock me." "Do you think he will come?" " I'm quite sure of it." "It's very wrong." "I'm acting against the interests of my country." "I could be imprisoned for it." " Yes my lady." "Do you really approve of your master's profession." "Approve and disapprove are two words not in my vocabulary." "My master only robs people who can afford to be robbed." "He gives away most of what he takes." "He is free of all ties and man made principles." "I gather he's not married then." " No." "Piracy and marriage do not go together." "Even if his wife should love the sea?" "She would not love it enough." " I wish I were a man." "Why so?" " I too would find a ship and sail out and be a law unto myself." "Gracious!" "Have we anything fit for him to eat?" "Rest your mind my dear lady." "When I went to Helford, I took the liberty of filling a basket." "You anticipated this?" " Yes my lady." "I have premonitions." "I can provide crabs prepared in the French fashion, small potatoes cooked in their skins, fresh green salad, bottle of wine, and strawberries, the first of the season." " You are incorrigible." "Let me see..." "Light every candle." "Bring out all the silver." "We must to all justice to Navron." " I will not disappoint." "You know him better than I do." "What shall I wear?" "Supper is waiting." "Is it wise to place all this temptation before a pirate?" "It's Viliam's fault." "It's all his doing." "I don't believe you." "Viliam never made these preparations for me before." "Did you Viliam?" " No sir." "He cooked a chop and served it to me on a chipped plate." "Brushed away one of the covers of the chairs and told me to be content." "Yes sir." "What brought you to Navron at last?" "Perhaps I was tired of being Lady St. Columb." "Why?" " Why are you a pirate?" "Why did you venture alone to the creek today?" "Because of the uncertainty." "I wasn't sure what might happen." "That's why I'm a pirate?" " Oh yes, but..." "There are no "buts"." "It's very simple." "Piracy suits me." "My ship is my kingdom." "I'm my own master." "I come and go as I please." "Couldn't you do as you please in any case?" "No, anyone who leads a normal life in this world of ours becomes a cog in a wheel, a unit in a system." "To me that is intolerable." "I have become a rebel and an outcast." "But I have escaped from such a world." "The idea that piracy is wrong does not concern you?" "Not in the least." "Even such freedom, doesn't that become a bore sometimes?" "On the contrary." "Piracy has its problems which interest me profoundly." "It's an exact science." "A slipshod pirate is a dead pirate and serves him right." "A successful pirate on the other hand is much like a mathematician." "A poet of precision." "Besides I have my fun, my spice of excitement, my beating of the other fellow." "It's very satisfying." "Very absorbing." "Some day they will catch you." "Someday, perhaps..." "What do you think I do when I seek refuge in your creek?" "My men are not idle." "They move about the country getting information." "And the Cornish men are robbed and the women go in fear of their lives." "And more than their lives, so Lord Godolphin tells me." "Cornish women flatter themselves." "That's what I wanted to tell Lord Godolphin." "Why did you not?" " I hadn't the heart to shock him." "Frenchmen have a reputation for gallantry that is entirely without foundation." "We are shyer than you give us credit for." "My fellows never force their intentions on women." "The trouble is that the women won't leave them alone." "You forget country women sometimes find their husbands very dull." "They should teach their husbands better manners." "Do you mind?" " Not at all." "Supposing in marriage, for example one partner has the understanding and the other does not." "Then the marriage is doubtless very monotonous." "What decided you upon marriage?" "Harry was amusing." "And I liked his eyes." "And now you are trying to escape." "Viliam told me you would say that." "Then why don't you?" " Escape?" "Haven't I?" "I see you get to the heart." " It was my intention." "I caught you unawares when the mood was reflected in your face." "Isn't it unfair?" " How so?" "To make a copy of emotion at my expense." "Possibly." "But it may persuade you to discard such a mood altogether?" "Disillusionment, indifference..." "Yes." "Vilfulness." "A different person from the portrait with whom I fell in love." "Fell in love?" " Yes." "A strange, enchanting person that looked down at me from the bedroom wall." "Lady St. Columb is not that person." "I prefer Lady St. Columb." " I prefer the lady in the portrait." "I said to myself, "She and no other."" "When the east wind starts blowing it continues for several days." "My ship will be weather bound and I can be idle." "There are birds to watch, fish to catch, streams to be explored." "All these are methods of escape." " Birds to watch, fish to catch." "Do you suggest that is the way to make me happy?" "Complete happiness is a rare thing." "I do not believe it can ever be fully experienced alone." "But it happens a man finds a woman who is the answer to his dreams." "And the two have understanding of each other from the lightest moment to the darkest moment." "Thank you for my supper." "Good night." "Your manor commands a view of the river, doesn't it?" "An excellent view." "You haven't seen any strange craft entering the estuary?" "I don't wish to alarm you but a French pilot has used the river." "He may do so again." " You terrify me." "I must warn you, he'd have little respect for you person." "You mean he's unscrupulous?" " I fear so." "And his men are desperate and savage;" "They are pirates, my lady." "I shall take every possible care of my household." "Are they cannibals too?" "I have a little boy you know." "Calm yourself my dear." "Calm yourself." "Perhaps the Frenchman has left our coasts for good." "I wish we could think so." "But he's most dangerous when he's most quiet." "We shall hear from him again." "But it'll be the last time." " Indeed." "Yes madam." "The last time." "It'll be my great pleasure to hang him from the tallest tree." "I invite all the company present to witness the ceremony." "Sir, you are very bloodthirsty." "So would you be if you'd been robbed of your possessions." "Pictures, plates, silver..." "all of considerable value." "But think of the joy you will have replacing them." "I fear I consider the matter in a very different light." "Such a pleasure my dear Lady Godolphin." "Where shall I change my gown?" "I thought my lady might not be adverse to behind that tree." "How very considerate of you." "What story did you tell them at Navron?" "I said you'd be staying to dine with Godolphin and would be late." "How very deceitful of you." "He is waiting for you my lady." "Do you think me mad?" " Not entirely sane my lady." "It's a lovely feeling." " So I have always understood." "I shall be in the avenue shortly after 10:00." "Yes my lady." "You may drive as though we were coming from Lord Godolphin's." "Why are you smiling?" "I was not aware that my features had in any way relaxed." "You are a liar." " Yes my lady." "You have not been long." " I had no mirrors to detain me." "I understand how simple life becomes when such as mirrors are forgotten." "May I put the worm on the hook?" "Do you think I'm making progress?" "Yes." "Do you really think that?" "The disillusioned, willful Dona St. Columb who roistered in the taverns and sat in gaming houses beside ladies of the town." "If there ever was such a Dona she no longer exists." "I'm glad you said that." "Don't you want your fish?" "I was thinking of the conversation I had at Lord Godolphin's." "They are gloating over the possibility of your capture." "I understand your interest, but they do not worry me." "I believe them to be dangerous." "Godolphin is a dunderhead, but he's persistent." "And Eustick has a mean, obstinate look about him." "They hope to hang you." " Something of a complement." "Now you're laughing at me." "What do you want me to do?" "I want you to be cautious." "Then, tomorrow I must begin to plan again." "You'll be going away;" " I've been idle too long." "I've allowed... the creek to take hold of me." "Godolphin and his friends shall have a run for their money." "Another raid along the coast;" "Probably." " And risk capture and death?" "Perhaps." "It would be wiser to sail back to Brittany." "Far wiser." "The Seagull may be wrecked instead of lying peacefully at a haven." "The Seagull was not built to lie peacefully in a haven." "It's too bad you're not a boy." "You could have sailed with me." "Why do I have to be a boy to do that?" "You're too precious too delicate for a pirate ship." "That's ridiculous." "Please let me go with you just once." "You'd be cold and miserable." " No!" "You'd be frightened." " No!" "You'd be seasick." " How much would you wager?" "That depends on what we have to offer each other." "My earrings." "You may have my ruby earrings." "Yes." "And... what would you demand of me should you win your wager?" "Let me think." "I lock from Godolphin's wig." "You shall have the wig itself." "I will take care of the children." " I have every confidence in you." "I intend to announce to that you are indisposed and feverish and for fear of infection no one is to come to your room." "And you have asked for me to wait on you myself." "Excellent Viliam." "You are a born deceiver." "Don't you wish you were coming with me;" "My interior does not take to the motion of a ship on the water." "In other word's you're sick." " You have a happy turn of phrase." "I have a wager with your master that I shall not succumb." "Do you think I shall win?" " It depends on what you mean." "That I'll not succumb to the motion of the ship." "What did you think?" "Forgive me, for the moment my mind had strayed." "Yes, I think you will win that wager." "That is the only wager we held Viliam." "Yes my lady." " You sound doubtful." "When two people make a voyage, one of them like my master, the other like my mistress, the situation strikes me as being pregnant with possibilities." "You are very presumptuous." " I'm sorry my lady." "You forget I've been married 8 years and am the mother of two children." "At the end of next month I shall be 30." "On the contrary, it was these things I was most remembering." "Then I'm inexpressibly shocked." "Open the door." " Yes." "If Master James really wants some strawberries..." "I understand perfectly." "I will give him some quietly myself." "Good." "Goodbye, Viliam." " Au revoir my lady." "Pierre." "Bon jour, madam." "This way." "Come on." "Quickly." "They're here." "Good morning." " The Captain wants to see you." "Good morning." " Good morning." "Let's go." "You bring luck it seems." "The wind is fair." "Weigh the anchor!" "Weigh the anchor, weigh it." "Weigh the anchor, weigh it." "There we go, sea, there we go." "There we go, sea, there we go." "places, everyone!" "The anchor is weight, sir." "Row!" "Row, row." "Up the mast!" "Up the mast, up the mast." "Up the mast, up the mast." "Up the mast, up the mast." "Up the mast, up the mast." "It's okay, it's okay." "Ale, ali, alo, sailor overboard." "Ale, ali, alo, sailor overboard." "What do you think of my ship?" "I think she's bewitched and not a ship at all." "I feel as though I'd never been alive before." "You do not feel seasick?" "I never felt so well in my life." "Are you happy?" " Yes." "Why do you ask?" " Because I am happy too." "Do you know what Lady St. Columb is doing right now?" "I should like to know." "She's in bed with chills and fever and will allow no one in her room but Viliam, her faithful servant." "If Lady St. Columb tosses on a bed of fever, who is this woman on board with me?" "A cabin boy, the most insignificant member of the crew." "Would you like to sail the ship?" " May I?" "Vil she not sink?" " Come on." "Hold the staff in your two hands." "You keep the ship steady on the course." "Do not let her fall away or she will jibe her spritsail." "Feel the wind on the back of your head?" "Keep it there then." "I believe you'll do something mad, something very foolish." "You told me you wanted Godolphin's wig, didn't you?" "What are you going to do?" "Do you know his brother in law, a Philip Rashleigh?" "I've heard Harry speak of him." "He raided the French coast and stole a ship." "He sent her to the Indies and she's returned with riches." "She lies at anchor at Fowey Haven." "My intention is to seize her." "Put a crew aboard and have them sail to the French coast." "With the cargo she'll pay for the use he's had of the ship." "Supposing her men outnumber yours." "That's one of the risks I take." "There's a fort here, at the harbor mouth." "But I can't guarantee they'll all be asleep for my benefit." "So there's only one thing to do." "Leave La Mouette here and go overland." "Rashleigh's ship is lying here." "Can you climb cliffs?" "I could in a pair of britches." " That's what I thought." "Here's a pair belonging to Pierre." "They're his Sunday britches." "They're a little cleaner." "Here's a shirt too." "Stockings and shoes." "And a knife." "You won't want a jacket." "The night is too warm." "You better change now and come on deck when you're ready." "You know the way well?" "Yes Captain." "Last week I covered the whole route." "We climb the cliff at the farm of one Binyon." "I know the milk maid." "They are heavy sleepers." "They will not hear us." "Here." "Come here." "You have remembered that you are Lady St. Columb." "Yes." "I'm leaving part of the crew on board the Seagull." "If you wish, you know you can stay with them." "A while ago I would have..." "but not now." "Lady St. Columb has returned to her sick bed?" "Yes!" "Captain." "You will never pass for a boy with that hair." "I'd cut it off if I had a pair of scissors." "You'd look more like a cabin boy perhaps." "But I'd rather risk capture than have you do it." "Put this on." "We must get our work done while the wind favors us." "Hurry now." "Like this." "Let's go." "If there's trouble make sail." "Lay a mile from the coast and watch for a signal fire." " Yes sir." "Here." "Captain, here." "Come on, Madam." "Come here." "Come on, come on." "There she is." "How do we get out there?" "Get ready to swim." " I'm not very good at it." "What's the matter?" "The wind is changing." "It has backed into the south." "Pierre." " Yes sir?" "I want you to take her back to the ship." "Be careful." " Please no, Captain." "Do it." "I've just told Pierre to take you back to the Seagull." "Why?" "Why must I go back?" "Because the wind turned against us." "The Seagull is on a lee shore." "She'll have to beat out of the bay." "You will have time to get back before they get sail on her." "With the change in the wind it'll be difficult to get the ship away." "Not the Seagull, that ship I mean." "That's why you want me to go back." "in case there's trouble." "Yes." "Well I'm not going back." "Why do you want to stay?" "You know why I want to stay." "I wanted you to go for the same reason." "Stay then and we'll make a fight for it and hand together from the same tree, you and I." "We must hurry and get underway before the wind strengthens." "But first, we must have the owner aboard." "Would you like to do something with a bit of danger?" "Yes." "Tell me what to do." " Pierre." "Go with Pierre, find a boat, cross over to town and call on Philip Rashleigh." "He lives there in the house next to the church." "Tell him he's wanted on board." "Make up any story you like." "But keep in the shadow." "You won't do as a boy in the light." "Suppose he refuses to come?" "He won't refuse if you're clever." "Go now." "The wind has changed." "Warm enough though." "Pierre." "Let's have your cups lads." "Stay in the boat." "If I don't return in 16 minutes go back." "There's a squall blowing up." "Is there?" " Coming from the southwest." "It'll be here quite shortly." "I wish you had moored the ship up river." "They may have trouble with it by morning." "I've never lost a ship from that mooring." "I'd think it'd be wiser if you'd take off the cargo..." "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "It's Mr. Rashleigh wanted." " Who is it George?" "It's someone who wants you." "Come inside boy." "No sir, just tell Mr. Rashleigh they've sent for him on the ship." "Who the devil is it, that young Jim Thomas?" "Someone from the ship." "Is your name Jim Thomas?" "Aye sir." "The master said Mr. Rashleigh was to come aboard at once." "The ship's in danger." " Stay where you are!" "Do you hear that?" "The ship's in danger!" "Let me go." "I got another message to run." "I got to fetch the doctor." "My mother's taken ill." "Mother?" "What's all this nonsense?" "Jim Thomas's mother has been dead 10 years." "Well he..." "Who are you?" "What's wrong with the ship?" "Hurry, hurry!" "The wind's rising!" "Come on George!" " Come on in here." "Come on George." "A pair." " I win again." "I'm off." " Pass the rum." "Two fives?" "What luck." "Come on, take hold of him." "Pierre!" "Pierre!" "Come on." "See a boy around this way?" "No, but there's something wrong there yonder." "Looks like your ship's broken away from the buoy." "What's that?" "Look, they're breaking out her sails!" "Why doesn't he let go his anchor?" "He'll have her aground!" "Ahoy Merry Fortune!" "Merry Fortune!" "Ahoy!" "Thomas, ahoy!" "Rouse the men ashore." "Blast that fool, Dan Thomas." "What ails you Joe?" " Put on your britches blast you?" "The Merry Fortune's adrift!" "Ship ahoy!" "They're putting sail on with not 12 men aboard!" "He's mad!" "He'll have her aground!" "She's under way!" "The tide will take her on the rocks." "Come about!" "Come about man!" "Before you lose your chance!" "Look all of you!" "That's not Dan Thomas." "A thousand thanks gentlemen." "It's the Frenchman." "He's going to sea." "Man the boats!" "All hands!" "The lines have been cut!" "Swim out some of you and get those boats." "Look." "There's that boy." "He cut the boats loose." "There's two." "Stop them." " Bring your boats alongside." "Get that boy!" "What's the use of a gun that's not primed!" "Take it home to your mother!" "Pierre!" "Oh no you don't!" "Hurry!" "They're after her." "Fire on them." "Get down!" "Get down!" "Are you alright;" " Yes I am." "There's your friend Godolphin." "There's a woman aboard." "Don't fire." "A safe passage back to land." "But first..." "He's taken my wig!" "Give it back!" "The impertinence!" "You'll pay for this!" "I'll have you on the rack!" "I'll have you hanged!" "I'll have you arrested!" "You'll pay for this!" "I'll have you on the rack!" "Save your powder boys." "You will not catch us this time." "Ale, ali, alo, sailor overboard." "Ale, ali, alo, sailor overboard." "Who is it?" " Are you awake yet?" "Come in." "I'm afraid I lost my earrings after all." "I came once to see how you were and you threw a pillow at me." "You're lying." "I never saw so." "You were too far gone to remember anything." "But we will not argue." "Are you hungry;" "Yes." " I thought we'd have dinner together." "What time is it?" " About 3:00 in the afternoon." "What day would it be?" " Sunday." "Your Godolphin will have missed this morning in church, unless there's a good wig maker in Fowey." "When did you put it here?" "When you were seasick." "Can you eat a wing?" " Yes." "By now we might be hanging from a tree in Godolphin's park." "We would have been if that wind hadn't shifted." "Do you always have the devil's own luck Frenchman?" "Always." "I'm glad I had the adventure and the excitement but I'm glad it's over too." "You did not do too badly for a cabin boy." "How long are we going to be on the Merry Fortune?" "Why?" "Do you want to go?" "I just wondered." "What are we going to do now?" "As we will not get a breeze before nightfall we can do as we please." "We might go fishing in the cool of the evening before the sun is down." "We might." "This could be forever if we wished, tomorrow and the next day." "Lady St. Columb is not Dona the cabin boy." "She is someone that has a life in another world." "Lady St. Columb is still asleep at Navron." "And her dreams are very, very lovely." "For all that, they are still dreams." "She will wake when the sun is up and begin to look after her house." "No, this." "Always this." "Always the fire and the dark night, the supper we've cooked and you here against my heart." "Sail with me now and never return to Navron." "Sail with you?" " Yes." "Perhaps one day you will regret it." "I know what I have to offer can never compensate what you give up." "Women would wonder for a time and play at adventure, but in the end, instinct is too strong for them." "They must make their nest and I would sail alone and you hate me." "What is the answer then?" " There never has been an answer." "But if there is one come with me and we will find it together." "But I must plan things." " No." "No plans." "Just come back." "Come back and we'll have breakfast, then we'll take the boat down river." "And so another day, and another, and another..." "No past, no future." "Only the present." "Only the present." "Viliam." "Viliam." "I will open the hall door." "It's locked." " Quick." "What is it?" "The children?" "Sir Harry has come." "Late last night." "Lord Rockingham is with him." "Come here." "Why did they come?" "I gather it was Lord Rockingham's idea." "It would be Lord Rockingham..." "What have you told Sir Harry?" "That you'd been in bed for several days with high fever." "You were at last getting some sleep and it would be bad for your health if Sir Harry so much as entered your room." "He accepted the story?" " Yes my lady." "They've certainly come down to help take your master." "You must get word to him, at once." "He's in deadly danger." "The ship must leave the creek at next tide." "It would be more prudent to wait until nightfall." "Your master will decide that." "I'd thought to go back and have breakfast with him." "Don't worry. lt will come right." "You will be together again." "Forgive me." "It had something to do with being so happy..." "I know." "Poor Viliam." "You haven't slept, waiting for me." "Thank you." " My lady." "Thank you." "You've grown, you have." "Here you go." "Off you go moppets." "Get along." "Devilishly hot here." "I'm sweating through my shirt." "You don't look so ill." "I'm very much better." " I'm glad to hear that." "I expected you at death's door from what Viliam told me." "I cursed him good for not sending me word about it." "What kind of servant is he?" " The best I've ever had." "Well, as long as he pleases you..." "Rockingham's here Dona." "I know you left London over him, but he doesn't bear any grudges." "Why did you bring him down here;" "It was Rock's idea really." "One day he met a cousin a George Godolphin, who told him a French pirate was plundering the county." "So Rock said let's go down and help the Godolphin's." "How is Godolphin by the way?" "Out of temper when I saw him." " So I should think." "His brother in law has lost a ship at sea." "Do you know Philip Rashleigh?" " Not to speak to." "Well I've invited him here." " Why?" "We met him in Helston yesterday in a devil of a temper." "This Frenchman sailed out of Fowey right under his nose." "And Godolphin's too." "Why did you invite Rashleigh here?" "That was Rockingham's idea as well." "He suggested we all set a trap for the Frenchman." "When we've caught him, we'll string him up for a laugh." "You think you'll succeed where others have failed?" "Rock's already thought of a plan." "Hi Rock." "Here's Dona." "My Lord." "So you've had a fever." "A messenger for Lord Godolphin." " What?" "A most becoming fever." "You don't appear delighted to see me?" "Why should I?" "It's some weeks since I saw you and you left in an extraordinary way." "I suppose I did something to offend you." "I told Harry when I left London that I wanted to be alone." "We came down on business." "We'll catch the pirate that is causing you so much trouble." "How do you propose doing that?" " We shall see." "I expect he's back to France." " I'm afraid not." "Why so?" "The vessel was seen only yesterday making for the English coast." "But the coast of England goes a long way." "Yes but he leaves most of it alone it seems, all but this little bit of Cornwall." "Rashleigh thinks he's even visited your river." "He must do it at night then, when I'm in bed." "Possibly he does." "It'll be amusing to stop his little game." "How really ideal for a lawbreaker." "Navron is the only big house in the district." "I almost wish I were a pirate myself." "The house to be without protection, the lady as beautiful as you." "Yes Rockingham;" " I'd be tempted to come here often." "But you're not a pirate." "Simply an unscrupulous, intrusive person I continue to detest." "What a delightful little speech." "The Cornish air has made you venomous." "Hey Rock." "A letter from Godolphin." "The hounds are gathering." "We'll have some fun with this." "Did you send an answer?" "I said we'd be delighted to receive the gentlemen for supper." "Whom shall I be delighted to receive?" "Godolphin, Rashleigh, Eustick and half a dozen others." "After supper we'll all go down and catch the fellow." "An amusing party, don't you think?" " No doubt." "If you wish to give them supper, I must discuss it with Viliam." "Gentlemen." "Moppets!" "Tally ho!" "My lady." "I fear I must come down with fever again and remain in my room." "For what cause?" "Because Rashleigh and the others are coming here to supper." "Rashleigh may recognize me as the woman on the pirate ship." "Why are they coming here tonight?" "They've agreed on a plan to take your master." "Thank heaven they'll be too late the Seagull will have sailed." "No, she will not have sailed." " What do you mean?" "I went to the creek this morning." "She grounded on a rock causing a leak below the water line." "She will not be ready to sail until after midnight." "You must go and warn your master." "At once." "Quickly." "You will be advised to stay in your room while they are here." "No, I shall receive them." "I must keep them until midnight." " But..." "Yes my lady." "I will arrange everything." "Sir Harry will choose the wine." "Get away quickly." " Yes." "Halt!" "Who goes?" "Grejs, have you seen Viliam?" " No, my lady." "He went out after 3:00 and no one's seen him since." "Where's that fellow Viliam?" "He's got the keys to the cellar." "He will be back directly I expect." "I had to break the lock." "I tell you, I'll sack the fellow." "Rock is right." "He's got an impudent, familiar manner." "Did you win at piquet;" " Do I ever win playing with Rock?" "Hurry Dona." "That's the company." "You'll be late." "Viliam." "What's happened?" " It is nothing." "Come on." "Quickly." "If you find that Viliam, send him to me." "You will spoil your gown." " How did it happen?" "In the woods one of the Lord's men challenged me." "I managed to evade him but received this scratch." "Did you get word to your master?" "Yes." "He said to tell you he is in no way disturbed." "Vil the ship sail by the night?" "Dona!" "What the devil is keeping you?" "I dislike having my door flung open in such a manner." "But the guests are waiting." "You know I'm no good in company without you." "Go along." "What's the matter with this thing." "Fix this." " I will." "Now get along." "I take it the plan I suggested has been carried out." "The men are on the beaches and boats made ready." "If there is a vessel hiding up the river, we'll be on hand to get her as she comes down on top of the tide." "Lady St. Columb, gentlemen." " Gentlemen." "Lord Godolphin." "Madame." "Lord Rockingham." "Philip Rashleigh." "Mr. Rashleigh." " All of whom friends of mine." "Welcome to you gentlemen." "This is the first time in many years company has been in this house." "Won't you sit down?" "Lord Godolphin, how is Lady Godolphin?" "Take this." " Very well." "If your wife should not approve let me offer my own physician." "Very good idea." "An excellent idea." "I swear I've seen you somewhere before my lady." "But I can't for the life of me remember time or place." "What an impression I must have made on you at the time!" "On the contrary madam." "It's an infection in your voice and I've heard it not so long age." "Dona has that effect on every man." "They always feel after seeing her that they've known her before." "You'll find it keeps you awake at night." "Were you ever in Fowey where I live?" "It is very difficult to get in and out of Fowey I'm told." "You heard how I was robbed?" " Yes." "So distressing." "You never had news of your ship since?" "No." "However tonight to settle accounts with him once and for all." "Rashleigh reminds us that we linger overlong at the table." "I'm exceedingly sorry." "I would not dream of hindering you in any way." "A toast to the success of your undertaking gentlemen." "To success." "All together..." "All together at the Cornish fair." "Big bass drum, boom, boom, boom." "Gentlemen, it's half an hour before midnight." "Is the leader the desperate fellow you've led me to believe?" "Worse, the most bloodthirsty rogue I ever cast my eyes on." "We've heard since his ship carried a complement of women most kidnapped from our own villages." "He had a woman aboard the Merry Fortune." "A bold faced baggage if ever there was one." "I could see her on the deck as plain as I see you now." "There was a boy who came knocking..." "That's it!" " What?" "That boy's voice." "That's it." "Are you quite well Mr. Rashleigh;" " Madame I swear I don't know." "I keep hearing that boy's voice." "Slight effect of memory." "We're all subject to it at times." "A provocative discussion my dear Dona." "But I must remind you we're here tonight on desperate business." "You say these men cannot conduct affairs without your insistence;" "Nonsense Rock!" "You let my wife conduct her own table." "My beautiful." " Quite right, Harry." "Sit down, Rock." "Go on fair lady." " Thank you gentlemen." "As I was saying, it is very easy to take one person as another." "As in the playhouse for instance." "A player becomes another person before one's very eyes." "She's gonna do Nell Gwyn." "She does Gwyn to the life." "Come on Dona." "Give us Nelly." "A scoundrel maid who was fair of fyce." "Dona!" "Stop this nonsense!" "Fie on you." "I wager you can't remember the next line." "A thousand pounds he does." " Go on fair lady." "...was rysed from a slum to a king's embryce." "The life of Nelly." " The life of Nelly." "The life of Nelly has truly flown from cellar to the throne." "From highway mudling to great renown." "From earthly scum to a monarch's crown." "Who the deuce is that?" "Someone's late for supper." "Let's have some more wine." "We're all here." "We expect no one else." "How about you Godolphin?" "We're meeting in secret." "Someone open the door." "Where are the servants?" "Are you all asleep?" "Hello Dickon!" "Someone's blown out the candles." "It's black as pitch in there." "Dickon!" "What orders did you give the servants Harry?" "Did you tell them to go to bed?" "Bed?" "No." "They're waiting in the kitchen." "Give them another call Rock." "There's no answer." "There's no sign of a light." "Dickon!" "Dickon!" "Dickon!" "Someone open the door one of you, will you?" "Who asks for Navron House?" "Jean Benoit Aubery." "What are you...?" " Hey!" "Pray be seated gentlemen." "Would your lordship like to join the gentlemen?" "Where have you been!" " Sir Harry, your servants are tied up in the game pantry." "I will not keep you long." "As for her ladyship, she may go if she pleases." "But first I must have the rubies she wears on her ears." "I've made a wager about them with my cabin boy." "Is that all?" "If the Lady St. Columb would spare me that as well..." "I would have no more excuse for piracy." "Thank you." "I trust you have recovered from your fever?" "I thought so your presence here will doubtless bring it back." "That would be a pity." "My conscious would be uneasy." "My cabin boy suffers from fever from time to time." "But the sea air does wonders." "You ought to try it." "Lord Godolphin." "The last time we met I relieved you of your wig." "That was also the fault of a wager." "This time I regret to say I must have your weapon." "Your sword Lord Rockingham." "Thank you Viliam." "Good evening sir." "You'll be happy to know the ship has been returned to her owners." "Your sword if you please." "What you have in your pockets if you please." "You'll pay for this you scoundrel." " Possibly." "ln the meantime it is you who are paying." "Thank you." "Pardon." "Sir Thomas." "Come, come, Sir Thomas." "People with too much money are invariably unhappy." "They have no time to enjoy themselves." "If you touch a penny I'll hang you." "Hang for a penny, hang for a pound." "Now that." "If you please..." "Do not wait to be urged, disgorge." "May I ask you sir, what induced a French gentleman to turn into a pirate?" "Mr...?" " Killigrew." "Mr. Killigrew, there's a certain beauty in the world, something just beyond our fingers which we all desire but few achieve." "Where you look for yours, I do not know." "But mine I have found at last as a pirate." "You cruel scoundrel." "Of all the confounded cheek." "And now gentlemen, I wish to return to my ship." "But I do not want you to close upon my heels." "Please allow my men will escort you upstairs and lock you in." "No." "You've made game enough of us." "I'm sorry gentlemen, but I must insist." "Lady St. Columb, would you be good enough to go into the salon?" "Sir Harry." "That is a fine emerald." "Not a single flaw, which is rare in an emerald." "However I owe you something for your hospitality." "Good luck Frenchman." " Thank you Mr. Killigrew." "Good bye gentlemen." "Her ladyship and I will now discuss the affairs of the day." "You were so reckless." "Don't you know the woods and hills are plagued with men?" "Yes." " Why are you here then?" "Because I had not kissed you for nearly 24 hours." "The gentlemen are attended to." "Our men have left for the meet." "Very well." "I want you to go to the cottage of your friend." "Await the lady's orders until all danger has passed." "I understand." "What are you going to do?" "This morning when Viliam told me you were alone no longer," "I realized that our make believe was over, that the creek was our haven no more." "My ship must sail." "And although she is free, I will remain captive." "I am bound to you as you are bound to me." "All that you feel, I feel." "Every thought, every wish, every changing mood." "It's too late." "There's nothing we can do." "I told you that last night when we were together." "And the morning was many hours away." "At those times a man can shrug his shoulders about the future, because he holds the present in his arms." "I have loved you." "I have loved you in almost every moment." "But most of all when you threw yourself on the Merry Fortune in Pierre's britches, with blood in your face" "I looked at you and laughed and a bullet whistled over your head." "What is the answer?" "It is still the same." "You are Dona St. Columb, wife of an English baronet." "Mother of two children." "I am a rebel and an outlaw." "If there is an answer, you must make it." "Not I." "Should you choose to remain here with your husband and children, nothing has happened in our adventure together that would make your life with them a pretense." "But if you choose otherwise, we shall be off Coverack by sunrise." "I will wait for you there." "I see your jewels have been returned to you." "What did you give for them?" "You are very serious." "I should have thought this jest would have amused you." "You're right." "It has amused me." "When I found I was able to squirm loose and get out the window." "I was prodigiously amused." "You might have freed the others." " I have." "They slipped out quietly through my window on the heels of the pirate jesters." "That too I find amusing." "Why didn't you join them then?" "Because one thing does not amuse me." "That Dona St. Columb should look at the leader of the jesters as she did." "ln a way that could mean one thing only." "That she loves him." "And so?" "And so?" "I understand much that has puzzled me since I came here yesterday." "That servant of yours." "Those walks in the woods." "That illusive look in your eye I'd never seen before." "Yes indeed, illusive to me." "To Harry." "To all men but one man." "And I've seen that man tonight." "Well, do you deny it;" "To you I deny nothing." "You could be imprisoned or hanged if the truth comes out." "Not a very pleasant ending for Dona St. Columb." "You've never been inside a jail, have you?" "You've never smelled the heat and the filth." "You've never tasted the black bread or thick water." "The feeling of a rope about your neck as it tightens and chokes you." "How would you like that?" "All because you imagine I smiled at a pirate when he asked for my jewels." "You lie." "You smiled at a pirate but not when he asked for you jewels." "Very well, tell Godolphin, tell Rashleigh, tell Harry even." "They will say that you are mad." "Possibly with your Frenchman on the seas and you at Navron House." "But suppose we catch him, and bring him back here, and play with him a little, as we used to 100 years ago." "With you looking on Dona." "I think you'd give yourself away." "It amuses you to be dramatic but the days of the rack are over." "But pirates are hanged, drawn, and quartered with their accomplices." "Then if you believe me an accomplice." "Do as you like." "When you've caught your pirate you can hang us side by side." "You'd suffer that and be glad." "Because you've had at last the love you've wanted all your life." "Isn't that true?" " Yes." "It is true." "I could kill you for it." "If you hadn't left London and come down here..." "It could have been me." " No, Rockingham." "Never!" "Don't cry Jamie." "Don't cry." "It's alright Jamie." "It's alright my darling." "It's alright." "Quickly, let's go to La Mouette." "They won't see us here." "Where's the Captain?" "Lets go." "On guard!" "Over here." "On guard, sir." "Touche, my friend." "Come on, quickly." "Sir Harry." "You won't beat me." "My Captain." " Go to the ship and weigh anchor." "No, Captain." "Go to the ship!" "Get behind him!" "Put him down." "I shall regret having to kill you, Sir Harry." "Gentlemen, one at a time, but not all against one." "Fight you as a gentlemen?" " Run him through!" "No!" "Take him alive." "My Lord." "We shall hang you slowly from a very tall tree and I shall enjoy every moment of it." "Hang me?" "Perhaps." "Rock." "Rock." "Dona." "It's Rock." "I found him down there." "He's dead." "That Frenchman killed him." "What happened?" "You were with him in the salon, weren't you?" "He gave me back my jewels and he went." "He must have come back and he killed Rock." "He'll pay for it." "We got him you know." "We got the blasted fellow." "What are you saying?" " The Frenchmen." "The ship is gone and the crew but we've got him." "Is he wounded?" " No." "He'll hang without a scratch and know what it feels like." "Where have they got him?" "Godolphin has him in his keep." "We hang him tomorrow at daybreak." "Tomorrow?" "If they don't burn him alive when find out about Rock." "I killed Rockingham." " Dona." "I killed him." "I had to." " Dona..." "You're jesting?" " I warned you to keep him away." "When he found he couldn't have me he hated and wanted to kill me." "He came after me up the stairs I took the arm from the wall and..." "Rock..." "Dona, I've been a fool." "Forgive me." " It's too late." "Dona, don't leave me." "I beg you." "It's my fault." "Dona, don't leave me." "I'll do anything to make you happy." "Dona." "There's the children." "I'm no use to them without you." "They need you." "Dona..." "Jailer I promised the lady a view of the prisoner." "Yes my lord." "This way my lord." "My dear you've got some steps to climb." "Can't think why they didn't build the jail on the ground floor." "I can't see why it amuses you to see the prisoner." "Gives me something to do." "Doctor says my son won't be born before midnight." "I think I'd better go in first." "Stand up when I choose to visit you." "Do you hear what I say?" "Stand up." "Lady St. Columb wishes to take one of your drawings to London as a souvenir for His Majesty." "Lady St. Columb is very welcome." "What is your favorite bird madam?" "That's something I never can decide." "Here's a seagull but you haven't given him his full plumage." "The drawing is unfinished madam." "This particular seagull lost a feather in flight." "If you know the species, you will remember they seldom venture far to sea." "This gulf for instance, it is probably only ten miles from the coast at the present time." "Then you think he'll return in search of the feather?" "Unquestionably madam." "I never heard of a seagull or any bird picking up feathers." "Did you make your choice?" " A woman can never make up her mind." "That's a very nice bird." "I rather like the heron but I suppose you prefer the stork." "That reminds me." "They'll be wondering where I got." "Well I must..." " No, I must be getting back." "Jailer, open the door." "Come in and remain with her ladyship." "Excuse me madam, I must be getting back to Dr. Viliams." "Certainly." "Remind Dr. Viliams he has a heavy responsibility." "I will madam." "I certainly will." "Pirate... just a scribbler." "Step away." "His lordship is very worried but there's really no need." "Dr. Viliams is a most capable physician." "So they say my lady." "Then he's well known here;" " His fees are well known." "Men like me couldn't afford to meet him in the streets." "I doubt I'd know him if I did." "He's a Helston man and to my knowledge I've never set eyes on him." "You are a married man I suppose." "Twice my lady." " What is your name?" "Zachariah Smith sir." "And you have children;" " Naturally my lady. 13." "And another one on the way." "We don't want to be unlucky." "Zachariah Smith, you are a very remarkable man." "How is your wife doing?" "Not as well as I could wish." " Then she must have Dr. Viliams." "But I'm a poor man..." "But I know Dr. Viliams and I've never found him unreasonable." "He's a fat, jolly man rather foreign not at all medical." "One might mistake him for a gentlemen's body servant." "Supposing I ask him to come over and see you later?" "When he's made a father of Lord Godolphin." "That would be about midnight." "What do you think Zachariah?" " Generally sir." "Then I'll send him over tonight." "And you can come to terms." "If I were you I wouldn't mention a fee at all." "Just let things take their own course." "I will." "I'm obliged to you I'm sure." "Not at all." "Now I've chosen my drawing and I'll go down with you." "Very well my lady." "Midnight then." "Dr. Viliams and his groom." "Good bye Frenchman." "Au revoir, Lady St. Columb." "The heir must be about to come." "Even the guards are gone." "You're Dr. Viliams and I'm your groom." "Yes my lady." "Better drop the "my lady" and call me Tom." "No." "My lips would not find the words." "It would be too distressing." "Are you ready?" " Yes." "Who is there?" " Dr. Viliams of Helston." "Come inside sir." "Was it a boy tonight?" " Oh yes it was indeed." "Robert James, his lordship had a boy." "Sit down Doctor." " Thank you." "What was the weight of the boy?" "The weight..." "let me think." "3 or 4 pounds." "Call that a boy." "It's no bigger than a shrimp." "Did I say 3 or 4?" "It was a mistake of course." "I should have said 13 or 14." "No, it was 16 or 16." "That's something over odds sir." "That lady here today had great confidence in you." "I'm glad to see it is not misplaced." "That lady?" "She is worth 20 Lady Godolphins." "Between you and me and the twelve apostles, that Frenchman is finer than some who intend to hang him." "Really?" "I am most interested to meet the man." "I've heard by all reports a very desperate person." "The country will be well rid of him." "He's sleeping now I suppose." "If a man can sleep on his last night..." "Lord bless you no sir." "He's up there smiling and smoking and drawing birds." "It's irregular sir, but if you really want to see him..." "Then I will be pleased to prescribe for your wife without fee." "You understand;" " Thank you doctor." "You're not the man we took you for." "Indeed I am not as you will discover." "Is Dr. Viliams here?" " What do you want with him?" "Word from the House." "The lady's been taken worse." "I'll call him." "Zachariah!" "They want the Doctor up at the house!" "What are you doing?" "Doctor what...?" "Dona, where are you?" " Here." "Open the door." "Zachariah!" "It's the Doctor going home." "This is perfect." " What are you going to do?" "Halt!" "Be calm." "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "Did you give his Lordship an heir and is he pleased?" "Pleased me foot." "Twin girls." "I want my supper!" "Get in Viliam." "Dr. Viliams, meet Dr. Viliams." "La Mouette keeps her rendezvous." "They're coming in for us." "If the breeze is steady Viliam will see Brittany tonight." "And home." "There's a house there in Finisterre." "It means, "the Land's End"." "It's on a piece of rock that runs into the Atlantic towards America." "Your house and mine, my Dona." "How can I tell you;" "Your children?" " Yes." "That night you'd gone my son James awoke and cried." "I knew then that... a man may be free if at all costs if he will, but a woman can only escape for a night and a day." "Then the answer is still the same." "I love you." "I shall always love you." "Dona, you belong to me." "Why can't we have our happiness?" " I shall be happy in you until I die." "Your boy may follow the sea one day." "If he does, tell him of La Mouette." "And a pirate who escaped." "A pirate who loved the sea more than anything in the world until he found you." "SubRip:diamarg" "Corrected by:" "suadnovic"