of
venison steaks and bread made of Indian corn, was placed by the squaw
on the board, and the three men drew up, Philip manifesting some
modest reluctance, until pressed thereto by the knight.

"The vain distinctions of the world," said Sir Christopher, "are out
of place here. My soul sickens at the servile respect paid to stars
and garters. The jewel of the spirit is to be prized, not by the
setting, but by the degree of its own splendor it darts around."

Nor simple though the dinner was, were there wanting draughts of wine
like that of which the soldier had drank upon his arrival. Of the
three, he drank the most freely; Arundel moderately, and the knight
almost abstemiously. As the last regarded the pale face of Philip, and
marked the kindling lustre of his eyes, he pardoned the poor fellow,
in consideration of what he had endured, the freedom of his libations.

At the conclusion of the meal, Arundel, turning to the knight, said:

"Philip has brought me word, Sir Christopher, which will necessitate
the abridgment of a visit I did intend should be longer. My purpose is
to return to Boston in the morning."

"May a friend inquire after the cause of your sudden departure?" asked
the knight.

"It hath some connection," answered the young man, slightly blushing,
"with a matter wherewith you are already acquainted, I know not why I
should hesitate to aver before yourself and Philip that it hath
reference to mistress Eveline Dunning."

"Fear not to speak the honest impulses of thine heart, Master
Arundel," said the knight, "nor deem that I can take amiss thy
preference of the starry eyes of pretty mistress Eveline to a
hermitage in the wood."

"She desires to see me," returned the young man, "and I hold it a
sacred duty to watch over her, for she is a lamb in the jaws of a
lion."

"My opinion of the worshipful Master Spikeman," said the knight, "is
not much more favorable than thine own, though mine eyes be not
blinded by the deceitful mists of passion. Be wary, however, else
mayest thou incur an enmity which it were well to avoid."

"What wouldest have me do, Sir Christopher?" demanded the young man,
rising with some impatience. "Detains he not my affianced bride?
Refuses he not even to allow me to see her, and must not our meetings
be stolen? Does he not deny the solemn obligation he took upon himself
by the death-bed of his too confiding friend, to unite Eveline with me
in marriage, and is he not thereby a