searching look all
round the room, "that we have singularly few players."

"It was difficult," retorted the other with somewhat more diffidence in
her tone than had characterized her speech before now. "Young Squire
Delamere committed suicide ... you remember him? ... and Lord Cooke
killed Sir Humphrey Clinton in a duel after that fracas we had here,
when the police-patrol well-nigh seized upon your person.... Squire
Delamere's suicide and Sir Humphrey's death caused much unpleasant talk.
And old Mistress Delamere, the mother, hath I fear me, still a watchful
eye on us. She means to do us lasting mischief.... It had been wiser to
tarry yet awhile.... Twelve months is not sufficient for throwing the
dust of ages over us and our doings.... That is my husband's opinion and
also mine.... A scandal such as you propose to have to-night, will bring
the Protector's spies about our ears ... his police too, mayhap ... and
then Heaven help us all, mistress ... for you, in the country, cannot
conceive how rigorously are the laws enforced now against gambling,
betting, swearing or any other form of innocent amusement.... Why! two
wenches were whipped at the post by the public hangman only last week,
because forsooth they were betting on the winner amongst themselves,
whilst watching a bout of pell-mell.... And you know that John Howthill
stood in the pillory for two hours and had both his hands bored through
with a hot iron for allowing gambling inside his coffeehouse. ... And
so, mistress, you will perceive that I am speaking but in your own
interests...."

Editha, who had listened to the long tirade with marked impatience, here
interrupted the voluble lady, with harsh command.

"I crave your pardon, mistress," she said peremptorily. "My interests
pre-eminently consist in being obeyed by those whom I pay for doing my
behests. Now you and your worthy husband live here rent free and derive
a benefit of ten pounds every time our guests assemble.... Well! in
return for that, I make use of you and your names, in case of any
unpleasantness with the vigilance patrol ... or in case of a scandal
which might reach my Lord Protector's ears.... Up to this time your
positions here have been a sinecure.... I even bore the brunt of the
last fracas whilst you remained practically scathless.... But to-night,
I own it, there may be some risks ... but of a truth you have been well
paid to take them."

"But if we refuse to take the risks," retorte