The Master of Appleby

gery looked in upon me oftener, and soon there grew up between us a comradeship the like of which, I think, had never

look or word or hand-clasp not of poor cool friendship; I have this to comfort me: that in after time

ecall no answering flash of hers to salt the woundings of the conscience-whip. So far from it, it seemed, as this sweet comradeship budded and blossomed on the

ame to call the mother's was turned to me, and I was made to stand a target for her wit and raillery. But she was e

ce, declaring I must tell her what to say or do in this or that entanglement. Again, and this came oftener as our friendship grew, she would talk to m

oint, asking her plainly if my dear lad had not good cause to hope, she would only smile and turn her face away, and say that of all the men s

artered passion. So long as I could keep my love well masked and hidden what harm could come to her or any if I should give it leave to live in prison? None, I thought; and yet at times was ma

ord of news from the world without-if Margery knew aught of the fighting she would never lisp a syllable to me-an

r's house, and angry pride had scanty footing. But when she was away this same pride took sharp revenges, getting me out of

and surprised me at this business of pacing back and forth.

e so fierce to be about it, Monsieur Impetuous?" she

gery, I am growing stronger now, and the bed doe

else besides? Do I no

ever you would have me sa

say nothing unt

to place before the window-bay, and when I was at

ay go on,"

ld me what you w

h," she c

d. "Why do you suppose my Lord Bacon thought the

John. I want to know why you

name who could be content to

she said, half absently. "You

ust needs know your father will be r

torted, giving me back my own words. "Has ever word

ere. But you must know that I h

t forget that he is Gilbert Stair

come to the unbidden guest would not have come amiss.

ught to do with any co

ides the fact that I a

what you said t

wretch? What has he

d said: "He is my father's

. But I said naught to this parchment-faced-to this M

to drive my father from Appleby Hundred as soon as

not name him any name at all. What I meant to say was that he lied. I made no threa

you mad, Mo

me with my father's outlawry. D

N

fell to loving her the more because of it; but wh

th. "He is old and none too well; and as for king and Congress, asks

ad told me of Gilbert Stair

, ma petite. A partizan may suffer once for a

; my word the spark and in h

king will have his own again. But still he halts and h

s time, for she broke off in the midst, and I

fierce with him when you yourself have br

"You should be the last to remind

call it treason, are

clasped her hands upon my knee. "You must not be too hard upon me, Monsieur John. I've tried to do

do you

ould leave this room and house to-day you would ne

ill you believe me, Margery, if I say I h

pure delight. "Then they were all mi

re traitors than its opposites of lust or greed. In no uncertain sense I was a man without a country; and this fair maiden on the hassock at my feet was all the world

hat is no mistake; 'tis a lie cut out of whole cloth. I came here straight from New Berne, and back of that from London and the Continent, and scarcely know th

like lightning: "Will you raise a band o

she laughed again, though now there were tears, from

n? You are too monstrous literal for our poor jesting age." Then she sobere

ow the houseless dog she petted should have life of me though mine enemy sh

d surely there is cau

er the more for her fai

ensioner in my father's house-or rather in the house that was my father's. But that was while the hurt was new. I have been a so

ton." She said it bravely, with uplifted face

ides to that, as well. So my father's acres come at last to you and

time she turned and faced me once again, and the warm blood was in cheek an

e me marry Richard

onor bade me say, and yet it c

argery; and Dick is my

e you my friend, as well, is

which to give her unreservedly to my dear lad, two horsemen trotted into view. One of them was a king's man; the other a civilian in sober black. The redcoat rode as English troopers do, with a firm

r, these coming horsemen seemed to hold me silent. And, indeed, I

ou will let me be. And as between Richard Jennifer and

ce while she looked below. The window overhung the entrance on that side, and throu

aid. "'Tis company come

e down to welcome my enemy and his riding mate, the factor. But while I was cursing my unrea

or another.' What know you

have told me; and from that I hav

say ther

thought to give her generously to Dick,

d when she stood before me like a bidden child

gain, and from standing sweet

borrow Père Matthieu's cassock and breviary; then

l I pres

me, Ma

at me. "Dick Jennifer is but a boy; sup

es

a sol

in my heart b

ll me it is this fie

place was strange to me. Tears came; her bosom heaved. And then

or Dick's or mine, have naught to do with this devil's

y privilege beyond the limit. She whipped

ell what you would be about, he has not sent a file of men to put you in arrest. A

hair, and once again I heard her hand

only what you said that made me mad. '

ught she must have gone before her a

ore since Sir Francis Falconnet asked me to marry

ave-taking, she left me to endure as best I mig