smile, the smile
which, she had been assured a thousand times, would tame a savage and
shatter adamant. "Will you not pledge the best gentleman in England?"
she asked, with a voice all honey.

Very courteously Evander took the proffered cup from her fingers and
gave her back her smile. Brilliana's heart thrilled with pleasure at
this new proof of beauty's victory.

"I will drink at your wish," he said, looking at her with a quiet
smile and speaking as if he and she were alone together in the great
hall. "I will drink at your wish, but with my own wit." Still looking
into the gratified eyes of Brilliana, he lifted the cup.

"I drink," he cried, loud and clear, "to the best man in England. I
drink to Colonel Cromwell."

He drained the glass and sent it crashing into the fireplace. Then he
folded his arms and faced his antagonists.

Brilliana's heart seemed for a second to stand still. So beauty had
not triumphed, after all. Dimly, as one in a dream, she could hear
the fury of the Cavaliers find words.

"You black Jack, I will clip your ears," Rufus promised.

"Blood him. Blood him," bawled Fawley.

"Slit his nose," Radlett suggested.

"Duck him in the horse-pond," suggested Bardon.

"Set him in the stocks," Ingrow advised.

Halfman, seeing how Brilliana leaned against the table, her face
pale as her smock, raged at her daring denier. He stretched out his
sword as if to marshal and restrain the passions of the Cavaliers.

"Would it not be properer sport, sirs," he asked, "to tie him in a
chair, like Guido Fawkes on November day, and take him through the
village that loyal lads may pelt a traitor?"

Once again Halfman's pleasant invention pleased the fancy of his
allies.

"Well said," assented Rufus. "Fetch a rope, some one."

Brilliana, hearing, moved a little forward. She had failed and felt
shamed. Yet this thing must not happen. She could not leave her enemy
thus to the mercy of his enemies. But what she would have said was
stayed by a sudden diversion.

Interest in all the events that had so swiftly passed before them had
gravely relaxed the vigilance of Evander's guardians. Garlinge and
Clupp--a strong Gyas and a strong Cloanthes--open-eyed and
open-mouthed, were open-handed also and clawed no clutch upon their
prisoner's shoulder. Thoroughgood, confused between jealous thoughts
of Tiffany and envious admiration of the manner in which Halfman
handled the gentry, was as heedless as his inferiors, a