e fellows, their finery
somewhat the worse for their late hardship yet themselves very gay and
debonair none the less as they stood viewing me and mighty interested.
Presently Sir Rupert steps up to me with his haughtiest
fine-gentlemanly air and no civility of bowing.

"Let me perish but here's notable change!" says he, surveying my rich
attire, so that I yearned for my rags again. "Here is strange
metamorphosis! The sullen and rustic Cymon bloometh at Beauty's
mandate, Caliban is tamed!" At the which sally his companions giggled
again.

"Sir," quoth I, and awkwardly enough, "I am in no mood for your
pleasantries. If therefore you have aught else to say of me, pray
remove out o' my hearing." This protest Sir Rupert fanned airily aside
with be-ringed hand.

"I gather," says he, "that you have been at some pains of service to my
Lady Brandon in her late dolorous situation here--receive my thanks!"

"I wish none o' your thanks, sir--"

"None the less I bestow 'em--on my Lady Brandon's behalf. Furthermore--"

"Enough, sir, I would be alone."

"Furthermore," he continued and with another airy motion of his white
fingers, "I would have you particularly remark that if my Lady Brandon,
lacking better company, hath stooped to any small familiarities with
you, these must be forgot and--"

"Ha!" I cried, springing to my feet, "Begone, paltry fool, lest I kick
you harder than I did last time at Conisby Shene."

"Insolent gallows'-rogue!" he panted, reaching for his sword-hilt, but
as he freed it from scabbard I closed with him and, wrenching it from
his hold, belaboured him soundly with the flat of it, and such of his
companions as chanced within my reach, until hearing shouts, I espied
Adam approaching with divers of his grinning fellows; whereupon I
snapped the blade across my knee and hasted from the place.

I strode on haphazard in a blind fury, but reaching the woods at last
and safe from all observation, I cast myself down therein, and
gradually my anger grew to a great bitterness. For (thinks I)
"gallows'-rogue" am I in very truth an outcast from my kind, a creature
shamed by pillory and lash, a poor wretch for spiteful Fortune's
buffets. Hereupon (being a blind fool ever) I cursed the world and all
men in it saving only my unworthy self. And next, bethinking me of my
dear lady who of her infinite mercy had stooped to love such as I, it
seemed that my shame must smirch her also, that rather than lifting