"I will follow no farther," she said.
"Whither would you lead me?
If to my death, I can die here." "Only to the battlements of the castle, fool," said Ramorny, throwing wide a barred door which opened upon the vaulted roof of the castle, where men were bending mangonels, as they called them (military engines, that is, for throwing arrows or stones), getting ready crossbows, and piling stones together.

But the defenders did not exceed twenty in number, and Catharine thought she could observe doubt and irresolution amongst them.
"Catharine," said Ramorny, "I must not quit this station, which is necessary for my defence; but I can speak with you here as well as elsewhere." "Say on," answered Catharine, "I am prepared to hear you." "You have thrust yourself, Catharine, into a bloody secret.

Have you the firmness to keep it ?" "I do not understand you, Sir John," answered the maiden.
"Look you.

I have slain--murdered, if you will--my late master, the Duke of Rothsay.

The spark of life which your kindness would have fed was easily smothered.