hing.

"I seem to see the finger of God displayed," continued Winthrop. "For
this very purpose wert thou sent among us; yet, noble sir,
notwithstanding the importance of the object to be attained and the
honor to accrue to him who shall secure them for us, let me not urge
thee unreasonably. Seest thou imminent danger in the enterprise,
undertake it not. I pray thee, without regarding aught that I have
said, to act according to thy better judgment."

"It was through no apprehension of peril that I was silent," said the
Knight. "Danger and I have been too long acquainted to distrust one
another. I did but turn over in my mind the proper means to accomplish
your designs. I place myself at your disposal, and am only rejoiced
that (lamenting the occasion) I can be employed in any manner to
advance a good work."

"Heartily I thank thee, Sir Christopher, for the cheerful tender of
thy service, though it was only what was to be expected from a man of
thy chivalric temper. I will take this thing into further
consideration, and will shortly acquaint thee with my conclusion."

"And, meanwhile, I will prepare myself to fulfil the wishes of your
worship," answered the Knight, preparing to take leave.

"Commend me," said Winthrop, "to the friendly thoughts of Lady
Geraldine, with sincerest hopes that the peace which surpasseth
understanding may nestle into her heart to chase away her melancholy,
and may her steps be guided unto the true fold, where only safety is
to be found."

"With many thanks," returned the Knight, "I seek my hermitage in the
woods."

CHAPTER XVII.

"A something light as air--a look--
A word unkind, or wrongly taken--
Oh, love! that tempest never shook,
A breath, a touch like this, hath shaken."

MOORE.

Sir Christopher, on leaving the Governor, proceeded in the direction
of the hostelry, where he had left his horse; and on his way was
greeted with one of those sights to be seen only in this strange
commonwealth. It was a woman in the stocks, being no other than an old
acquaintance, Dame Bars, the wife of the jailer. The good woman
possessed a kind heart, but she was not perfection. She had a weakness
for a pot of ale; and, if justice had in anywise been done to the
proportion of malt therein, it was very apt to make her eloquent to an
extraordinary degree. On these occasions, feeling herself to be
clearly in the right, she found it difficult to endure contradiction,
consideri