tune I had learnt in
the wars. A figure in scarlet and black came to the window, and stood
there looking down upon us. The lady riding with me straightened herself
and raised her weary head. "The next time we go to the forest, Ralph,"
she said in a clear, high voice, "thou 'lt show me a certain tree," and
she broke into silvery laughter. She laughed until we had left behind
the guest house and the figure in the upper window, and then the
laughter changed to something like a sob. If there were pain and anger
in her heart, pain and anger were in mine also. She had never called me
by my name before. She had only used it now as a dagger with which to
stab at that fierce heart above us.

At last we reached the minister's house, and dismounted before the door.
Diccon led the horses away, and I handed my wife into the great room.
The minister tarried but for a few words anent some precautions that I
meant to take, and then betook himself to his own chamber. As he went
out of the door Diccon entered the room.

"Oh, I am weary!" sighed Mistress Jocelyn Percy. "What was the mighty
business, Captain Percy, that made you break tryst with a lady? You
should go to court, sir, to be taught gallantry."

"Where should a wife go to be taught obedience?" I demanded. "You know
where I went and why I could not keep tryst. Why did you not obey my
orders?"

She opened wide her eyes. "Your orders? I never received any,--not that
I should have obeyed them if I had. Know where you went? I know neither
why nor where you went!"

I leaned my hand upon the table, and looked from her to Diccon.

"I was sent by the Governor to quell a disturbance amongst the nearest
Indians. The woods today have been full of danger. Moreover, the plan
that we made yesterday was overheard by the Italian. When I had to go
this morning without seeing you, I left you word where I had gone and
why, and also my commands that you should not stir outside the garden.
Were you not told this, madam?"

"No!" she cried.

I looked at Diccon. "I told madam that you were called away on
business," he said sullenly. "I told her that you were sorry you could
not go with her to the woods."

"You told her nothing more?"

"No."

"May I ask why?"

He threw back his head. "I did not believe the Paspaheghs would trouble
her," he answered, with hardihood, "and you had n't seen fit, sir, to
tell me of the other danger. Madam wanted to go, and I thought it a pity
that she should