as speaking almost apologetically, the other half vexed that the
first half was not more angry.

"Forgive me," said Evander, "but I do understand; I understand very
well; I made it my business to understand. And, therefore, I resolved
that so far as in me lay I would show those who scorned my people and
my creed that a Puritan might compete with his enemies in all the
arts and graces they held most dear, and not come off the worst in
all encounters."

"That was a brave resolve!" Brilliana's eyes and voice applauded
him. He flushed a little as he went on.

"It was a kind of oath of Hannibal. God was gracious in the gift of a
strong will, and I stuck to my purpose. I mastered arts, acquired
tongues, forced myself to dexterity in all manly exercises. I had a
modest patrimony which allowed me to travel after I left Cambridge,
and so gain that knowledge of the world which is so dear to English
gentlemen. And always in my thoughts it was: some day I may meet some
son of the house that cast us out and show him that a Puritan might
fear God and yet ride a horse, fly a hawk, and use a sword with the
best of his enemies."

"Instead of which," said Brilliana, as he paused, "you meet a
daughter of the house and play your well-practised part to her." Her
voice was stern now and her eyes shone fiercely as she leaned forward
and continued in a low voice, "Was this the cause of your coming to
Harby?"

"No," Evander answered. "I should never have come to Harby of my own
accord. But news came to Cambridge of your flying the King's flag.
The example was dangerous; Harby was a good house for either side to
hold. Colonel Cromwell commanded me to march with the volunteers I
had raised at Cambridge to secure Harby in the name of the
Parliament."

"And you were very glad to obey," Brilliana said, bitterly, and again
Evander shook his head.

"I was very sorry to obey. But I had no choice. Colonel Cromwell was
my father's friend; he knew the story of my people; he set it upon me
as a special seal for righteousness that I should do this thing. 'Kin
shall be set against kin in this strife,' he said, 'father against
son, and brother against brother. Go forth in the name of the Lord
and pluck the banner of Baal from the wall of Harby.' And I went."

Brilliana, lifting her head, looked over the green wall of yews to
where, in the cool, gray-blue of the October sky, the royal standard
fluttered its gaudy folds in the wind. She said nothing,