Did he but know where she was there would at least be a hope of rescuing her.
'By Christ!' exclaimed Bessas, when he had listened intently to all Basil's replies, 'this is a strange business.

I begin to think, excellent lord Basil, that you are as much deceived in your suspicions of the lady Petronilla as she is in her suspicions of you.

These two wenches--ladies, I would say--may have reasons of their own for hiding; or somebody of whom you know nothing may have carried them off.

How is this Aurelia to look upon?
Young and comely, I warrant.' Basil briefly described his cousin; whereupon the listener gave a shrug.
'We will talk of it again, to-morrow or the day after.

Hold yourself in readiness, lord Basil--you hear ?--to come when bidden.