y lady, uttering a gasp, let fall her
basket almost forgetting shuddering fear in amazement as she beheld the
face that looked out between the precise curls of the Major's great
periwig. The gipsy fellow saw it also, and, reading its expression
aright, sprang immediately to a defensive posture and spoke between a
growl and a whine:

"What now, master? There be no harm done, sir--nought but a bit o'
pleasantry wi' a country wench!" The Major neither spoke nor altered
his leisurely advance until, coming within striking distance, he leapt.
Heavy bludgeon whirled, long cane whizzed and the fellow, uttering a
hoarse gasp, dropped his weapon and gave back, clutching at useless,
dangling limb. But the Major's long arm rose and fell, beating the man
to his knees, to his face; even then, as the fellow writhed helpless,
those merciless blows rained down tirelessly until a voice cried:

"Don't! Don't! Ah, Major John--you'll kill him!" The Major stepped
back, panting a little.

"Kill him," he repeated gently, "why no, mam, no--his sort take a vast
deal of killing. I would but give him such a--er--reminder as shall
not fade awhile."

"Nay sir, no more, I beg! And see, your cane is broke----"

"Why so 'tis!" said the Major and tossing it aside he picked up the
knobby bludgeon, seeing which Lady Betty caught his arm and held it:

"Nay, you are cruel--cruel! You shall not, I say. He has enough!"

"Aye, perhaps he has," said the Major, "and 'twould be distressing for
you of course, though when one must fight 'tis as well to be thorough."
Saying which he resettled his ruffles, tucked the bludgeon under his
arm and bowed. "Pray let us be going, madam!" My lady hesitated and
glanced at her assailant's prostrate figure. "A few bruises, mam, he
will be well enough in an hour or so--though somewhat sore. And now,
with your leave I'll see you out o' the wood, evening falls apace and
the Sergeant was right, it seems." Then he picked up her basket and
motioning her to lead the way, followed her through the wood.

For once in her twenty-two years of life my lady Betty felt herself at
a disadvantage; twice she turned to speak but he, walking behind with
head bowed, seemed utterly oblivious of her, wherefore she held her
peace and threw up proud head disdainfully. And yet he had saved her
and--from what? At this she shivered and disdain was forgotten. Still
it is difficult to express gratitude with proper dignity to a man