"No violence, my son," rejoined Garnet. "You will only increase the mischief you have already occasioned. I do not think Dee will betray us. But additional circumspection will be requisite. Tarry here while I confer with Viviana on this subject. She has apparently some secret influence with the Doctor, and may be prevailed upon to exert it in our behalf."
It was long before Garnet returned. When he reappeared, his looks convinced Catesby that the interview had not proved satisfactory.
"Your imprudence has placed us in a perilous position, my son," he observed. "Viviana refuses to speak to Doctor Dee on the subject, and strongly reprobates your conduct."
"There is but one course to pursue," he muttered, rising; "our lives or his must be sacrificed. I will act at once."
"Hold!" exclaimed Garnet authoritatively. "Wait till to-morrow and, if aught occurs in the interim to confirm your suspicions, do as you think proper. I will not oppose you."
"If I forbear so long," returned Catesby, "it will not be safe to remain here."
"I will risk it," said Garnet, "and I counsel you to do the same. You will not leave Viviana at this strait."
"I have no such thoughts," replied Catesby. "If I go, she goes too."
"Then it will be in vain, I am sure, to endeavour to induce her to accompany you till her father is interred," observed Garnet.
"True," replied Catesby; "I had forgotten that. We shall meet the hoary juggler at the church, and an opportunity may occur for executing my purpose there. Unless he will swear at the altar not to betray us, he shall die by my hand."
"An oath in such a case would be no security, my son," returned Garnet; "and his slaughter and that of his companion would be equally inefficacious, and greatly prejudicial to our cause. If he means to betray us, he has done so already. But I have little apprehension. I do not think him well affected towards the government, and I cannot but think, if you had not thus grossly insulted him, he would have favoured rather than opposed our design. If he was aware of the plot, and adverse to it, what need was there to exert his skill in behalf of our dying friend, who, but for him, would have been, ere this, a lump of lifeless clay? No, no, my son. You are far too hasty in your judgment. Nor am I less surprised at your injustice. Overlooking the great benefit conferred upon us, because some trifling scheme has been thwarted, you would requite our benefactor by cutting his throat."