"But you did lose faith to-night, John--for a little while! And so you
shall sue pardon on your knees, here at my feet--nay, 'tis damp,
mayhap. I'll sit yonder on the bank and you shall kneel upon a fold of
my cloak. Come!"

So the Major knelt to her very reverently and taking her two hands
kissed them.

"Dear maid that I love," said he, "forgive the heart that doubted thee.
But O love, because I am a very ordinary man, prithee don't--don't put
my faith too oft upon the rack for I am over prone to doubts and
jealous fears and they--O they are torment hard to bear." Now here she
leaned forward and, taking him by two curls of his long periwig, drew
him near until she could look into his eyes:

"Jack dear," she said, very tenderly, "I needs must meet this man
again---and yet again----"

"Why?" he questioned, "Why?"

"Because 'tis only thus my plan shall succeed. Will you doubt me
therefore?"

"No!" he cried hoarsely, "not you--never you, sweet maid! Tis him I
doubt, he is a man, strong, determined and utterly ruthless and you are
a woman----"

"And more than his match, John! O do but trust me! Do but wait until
my plan is ripe----"

"Betty, a God's name what is this wild plan?"

"Nay, that I may not tell thee----"

"Could I not aid?"

"Truly--by doubting me no more, John. By trusting me--to the
uttermost."

The Major groaned and bowed his head:

"Ah Betty!" he sighed, "yet must I think of thee as I saw thee
to-night--alone with that--that satyr and nought to protect thee but
thy woman's wit. God!" he cried, his powerful form shaking, "God, 'tis
unthinkable! It must not be--it shall not be!" here he lifted face to
radiant heaven, "I'll kill him first--I swear!"

Now seeing the awful purpose in that wild, transfigured face, she cried
out and clasping him in tender arms, drew him near to kiss that
scowling brow, those fierce, glaring eyes, that grim-set, ferocious
mouth, pillowing his head upon her bosom as his mother might have done.

"O my John," she cried, "be comforted! Never let thy dear, gentle face
wear look so evil, I--I cannot bear it."

"I'll kill him!" said the Major, the words muffled in her embrace.

"No, John! Ah no--you shall not! I do swear thee no harm shall come
to me. I will promise thee to keep ever within this lane when--when we
do meet o' nights----" Here the Major groaned again, wherefore she
stooped swiftly to kiss him and spoke on, her soft lips against his
che