He was somewhat abashed to find , in the person whom he had so roughly seized , the short young lady in the furs . She , on her part , was shocked and terrified beyond expression , and hung trembling in his grasp . `` Madam , '' said Dick , releasing her , `` I cry you a thousand pardons ; but I have no eyes behind , and , by the mass , I could not tell ye were a maid . '' The girl continued to look at him , but , by this time , terror began to be succeeded by surprise , and surprise by suspicion . Dick , who could read these changes on her face , became alarmed for his own safety in that hostile house . `` Fair maid , '' he said , affecting easiness , `` suffer me to kiss your hand , in token ye forgive my roughness , and I will even go . '' `` Y ' are a strange monk , young sir , '' returned the young lady , looking him both boldly and shrewdly in the face ; `` and now that my first astonishment hath somewhat passed away , I can spy the layman in each word you utter . What do ye here ? Why are ye thus sacrilegiously tricked out ? Come ye in peace or war ? And why spy ye after Lady Brackley like a thief ? '' `` Madam , '' quoth Dick , `` of one thing I pray you to be very sure : I am no thief . And even if I come here in war , as in some degree I do , I make no war upon fair maids , and I hereby entreat them to copy me so far , and to leave me be . For , indeed , fair mistress , cry out -- if such be your pleasure -- cry but once , and say what ye have seen , and the poor gentleman before you is merely a dead man . I can not think ye would be cruel , '' added Dick ; and taking the girl 's hand gently in both of his , he looked at her with courteous admiration . `` Are ye , then , a spy -- a Yorkist ? '' asked the maid . `` Madam , '' he replied , `` I am indeed a Yorkist , and , in some sort , a spy . But that which bringeth me into this house , the same which will win for me the pity and interest of your kind heart , is neither of York nor Lancaster . I will wholly put my life in your discretion .
I am a lover , and my name -- '' But here the young lady clapped her hand suddenly upon XXXXX 's mouth , looked hastily up and down and east and west , and , seeing the coast clear , began to drag the young man , with great strength and vehemence , up-stairs .
Brackley Dick Lancaster York Yorkist easiness first girl mass war