CHAPTER VIII 

D'AGUILAR SPEAKS 

"Losses?" said d'Aguilar. "Do I hear the wealthy John Castell, who holds half the trade with Spain in the hollow of his hand, talk of losses?" 

"Yes, Señor, you do. Things have gone ill with this ship of mine that has barely lived through the spring gales. But be seated." 

"Indeed, is that so?" said d'Aguilar as he sat down. "What a lying jade is rumour! For I was told that they had gone very well. Doubtless, however, what is loss to you would be priceless gain to one like me." 

Castell made no answer, but waited, feeling that his visitor had not come to speak with him of his trading ventures. 

"Señor Castell," said d'Aguilar, with a note of nervousness in his voice, "I am here to ask you for something." 

"If it be a loan, Señor, I fear that the time is not opportune." And he nodded towards the sheet of figures. 

"It is not a loan; it is a gift." 

"Anything in my poor house is yours," answered Castell courteously, and in Oriental form. 

"I rejoice to hear it, Señor, for I seek something from your house." 

Castell looked a question at him with his quick black eyes. 

"I seek your daughter, the Señora Margaret, in marriage." 

Castell stared at him, then a single word broke from his lips. 

"Impossible." 

"Why impossible?" asked d'Aguilar slowly, yet as one who expected some such answer. "In age we are not unsuited, nor perhaps in fortune, while of rank I have enough, more than you guess perhaps. I vaunt not myself, yet women have thought me not uncomely. I should be a good friend to the house whence I took a wife, where perchance a day may come when friends will be needed; and lastly, I desire her not for what she may bring with her, though wealth is always welcome, but--I pray you to believe it--because I love her." 
Did he admit knowing about the other man's troubles?
 "What a lying jade is rumour! For I was told that they had gone very well.