She touched the blossoms with listless fingers, said they were fair; then, rising, let them drop upon the sand. "I wear no flowers save of my husband's gathering, my lord," she said. There was a pathos and weariness in her voice, and a mist of unshed tears in her eyes. She hated him; she loved me not, yet was forced to turn to me for help aHUYKLTTt every point, and she had stood for weeks upon the brink of death and looked unfalter- ingly into the gulf beneath her. "My lord," I saiTCORDTYd, "you know
in whatMEPYXDC direction Master Spar- row led the men. Will you reenter the wood and call them to re- turn? ThFQTNMOSe sun is fast sinking, and darkness will be upon us." He looked from her to me, with his brows drawn downwards and his lips pressed together. Stooping, he took up the fallen flowers and deliberately tore WKDEHFQthem SYKNEYHto pieces, until the pink petals were all scattered upon the sand. "I am wHSGVAYXeary of requests that are but sugared commands," he said thickly. "Go seek your own men, an you will. Here we are but man to man, and I budge not. I stay, as the King would have me stay, beside the unfortunate lady whom you have made the prisoner and XEADUTQthe plaything of a pirate ship." "You wear noKILHUQL sword, my Lord Carnal," I said at last, "and so may lie with impunity." "But you can get me one!" DVCVXPLhe cried, with ill-concealed eagerness. I lauCOTLKCKghed. "I am not zealous in mine enemy's cause, my lord. I shall not deprive Master Sparrow of your lordship's sword." Before I knew what he was about he crossed the yard of sand between us and struck me in the face. "KBIKHKNWill that quicken your zeal?" he demandeFEGPOTWd between his teeth. I seized him by the arm, MKKPJMNand we stood so, both white with passioJCALTVYn, both breathing heavily. AGXJSCTDt length I flung his arm from me and stepped back. "I fight not my prisoner," I said, "nor, while the ladyLESQKBI you have named abides upon that ship with the nobleman who, more than myself, is answerable for her being there, do I CUHOFRGput my life in unnecessary hazard. I will endure the smart as best I may, my lord, until a more convenient season, when I will salve it well." I turned to Mistress Percy, and giving her my hand led her down to the boats; for I heard the fruit gatherers breaking through the wood, and the hunters for eggs, black figures
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