man!" she whispered.

"But to think I could be so dense, such an unutterable blockhead, such
a----" Here my lady in her turn stopped his self-reproaches and
thereafter, taking him by two curls of his great periwig, one either
side, nodded lovely head at him.

"Though indeed, 'tis true sir, I was a little put out----"

"And no wonder!" he agreed. "Any other man would ha' known and
understood. But I, being nought but a simple----" Again she sealed
his lips, this time with one white finger.

"Nay, Major John sir--I do protest your grave simplicity hath a potent
charm in a wilderness of wits and beaux! 'Twas that same, methinks did
first attract me, for dear John, hear me confess, I have loved thee
from our first meeting--to-day I honour thee also. Dost mind that
first hour--when you caught me stealing your cherries? Dost remember,
John?"

"Aye, truly," he answered, "'twas in that hour happiness found me--a
happiness I had never thought to know!" Here, meeting his ardent gaze,
she flushed and drooped her lashes, yet nestled closer.

"John," she whispered, "thou'rt so placid as a rule, so serene and calm
yet, methinks there might come a time when I--should--fear
thee--almost. Our love is not politely _a la mode_, John!"

"Nor ever could be!" he answered.

"'Tis thing so wondrous great John, that I do tremble--and you--you
too, John! Ah prithee loose me awhile. Love is so vastly different
from what I dreamed--'tis methinks a happiness nigh to pain. And yet
our love hath not run so smooth dear, there have been doubts, and
fears, and misconceptions and--mayhap John, there shall be more."

"Heaven forefend, sweet. For indeed thou art my light, without thee
this world were place of emptiness and gloom and I a lonely wanderer
lost and all foredone. Ah Betty, since love looked at me through thine
eyes life hath become to me a thing so precious----"

"Yet you would peril it, John, and with thy life my happiness."

"Nay, but my Betty----"

"Aye, but my John, this shall not be! Think you I'll permit that you
hazard yourself----"

"But, dear heart, I have a plan very excellent----"

"So have I, John, a plan more excellent, nay--most!"

"But sweeting, I am here to----"

"To listen to me, of course, my Jack. See now, Charles is my brother
and if danger come I, as his sister, am proud and willing to share it
with him or to--endure much for his sake. But dear, whiles I live none
other shall jeopardise l