.. here's to
King Charles, whom may God protect ... and all in defiance of my Lord
Protector!"

CHAPTER XVI

A CONFLICT

In the hubbub which immediately followed Lord Walterton's tirade, Editha
de Chavasse beckoned to the florid woman--who seemed to be her
henchwoman--and drew her aside to a distant corner of the room, where
there were no tables nigh and where the now subdued hum of the voices,
mingling with the sound of music on virginal and stringed instruments,
made a murmuring noise which effectually drowned the talk between the
two women.

"Have you arranged everything, Mistress Endicott?" asked Editha,
speaking in a whisper.

"Everything, mistress," replied the other.

"Endicott understands?"

"Perfectly," said the woman, with perceptible hesitation, "but ..."

"What ails you, mistress?" asked Editha haughtily, noting the
hesitation, and frowning with impatience thereat.

"My husband thinks the game too dangerous."

"I was not aware," retorted Mistress de Chavasse dryly, "that I had
desired Master Endicott's opinion on the subject."

"Mayhap not," rejoined the other, equally dryly, "but you did desire his
help in the matter ... and he seems unmindful to give it."

"Why?"

"I have explained ... the game is too dangerous."

"Or the payment insufficient?" sneered Editha. "Which is it?"

"Both, mayhap," assented Mistress Endicott with a careless shrug of her
fat shoulders, "the risks are very great. To-night especially...."

"Why especially to-night?"

"Because ever since you have been away from it, this house--though we
did our best to make it seem deserted--hath been watched--of that I feel
very sure.... My Lord Protector's watchmen have a suspicion of our ...
our evening entertainments ... and I doubt not but that they desire to
see for themselves how our guests enjoy themselves these nights."

"Well?" rejoined Editha lightly. "What of that?"

"As you know, we did not play for nigh on twelve months now.... Endicott
thought it too dangerous ... and to-night ..."

She checked herself abruptly, for Editha had turned an angry face and
flashing eyes upon her.

"To-night?" said Mistress de Chavasse curtly, but peremptorily, "what of
to-night? ... I sent you orders from Thanet that I wished the house
opened to-night ... Lord Walterton, Sir James Overbury and as many of
our usual friends as were in the town, apprised that play would be in
full progress.... Meseems," she added, casting a