owed no keener interest in her new
visitor than she had found in the conversation of her old
acquaintance, and thus made both men very happily at their ease.
Indeed, Halfman was at his best that afternoon, playing the genial,
ripe, mellow man of the world to perfection, so that Evander found
him a most entertaining board-fellow.

They were at the fruit, and Halfman showing them tricks of carving
faces in October apples, when Tiffany skipped into the room a-twitter
with excitement.

"My lady," she cried, "here is come Master Paul and two of our people
bearing a great box. And I can spy Master Peter and his party with
another at the turn of the road."

Halfman laughed loudly; Brilliana laughed softly; Evander wondered
what there was to laugh at.

"Lodge them apart and bring them in by turn," Brilliana gave order.
"Master Paul first and then Master Peter. This is rare. Bring them
in, bring them in."

Tiffany fluttered out and Evander rose from his chair.

"Shall I leave you, lady?" he asked, thinking that she would be
private. But Brilliana would not hear of this and motioned to him to
keep his seat.

"Nay, sir, stay," she said, "if you would see some sport."

Even as she spoke Tiffany returned, ushering in Master Hungerford,
followed by two men in Brilliana's livery, bearing with pains a chest
which they set down with a deep breath of relief. Tiffany, who was
now in the secret, pretended to be busy at a sideboard so as to stay
in the room. Master Paul rubbed his lean fingers together and scraped
to the company.

"You have been swift, Master Hungerford," Brilliana said,
approvingly. Master Hungerford smiled furtively.

"Who would not use despatch in the King's cause and yours. 'Tis as I
said: the pestilent Roundhead had a chest full of broad-pieces
stuffed under his bed. And here it now is at your feet." And he
pointed victoriously at the spoils of war. Brilliana applauded as if
she had been at the play.

"You have done well," she said, with the tears in her eyes for
laughter. Halfman kept a grave face and Evander wondered.

"Call me your knight," Master Paul pleaded, with a languishing look.

"You have done well, my knight," Brilliana repeated; then, turning
to Tiffany, she bade her see that the chest was set in a place of
safety. The two men took up their burden again and followed Tiffany
out of the room. But in a jiffy the maid was back again and
whispering in her mistress's ear.

Brilliana turned he