he sought to fathom his sudden action, he was
muttering the formal regrets that courtesy dictated. But Crispin had
remarked that singular expression on Joseph's face--fleeting though it
had been--and it flashed across his mind that Joseph knew him. And as he
moved away towards Cynthia and her father, he thanked Heaven that he had
taken such measures as he had thought wise and prudent for the carrying
out of his resolve.

Following him with a glance, Joseph asked himself whether Crispin had
discovered that he was recognized, and had determined to withdraw,
leaving his vengeance for another and more propitious season. In
answer--little knowing the measure of the man he dealt with--he told
himself it must be so, and having arrived at that conclusion, he there
and then determined that Crispin should not depart free to return and
plague them when he listed. Since Galliard shrank from forcing matters
to an issue, he himself would do it that very night, and thereby settle
for all time his business. And so ere he sat down to sup Joseph looked
to it that his sword lay at hand behind his chair at the table-head.

The meal was a quiet one enough. Kenneth was sulking 'neath the fresh
ill-usage--as he deemed it--that he had suffered at Cynthia's hands.
Cynthia, in her turn, was grave and silent. That story of Sir Crispin's
sufferings gave her much to think of, as did also his departure, and
more than once did Galliard find her eyes fixed upon him with a look
half of pity, half of some other feeling that he was at a loss to
interpret. Gregory's big voice was little heard. The sinister glitter
in his brother's eye made him apprehensive and ill at ease. For him the
hour was indeed in travail and like to bring forth strange doings--but
not half so much as it was for Crispin and Joseph, each bent upon
forcing matters to a head ere they quitted that board. And yet but for
these two the meal would have passed off in dismal silence. Joseph
was at pains to keep suspicion from his guest, and with that intent he
talked gaily of this and that, told of slight matters that had befallen
him on his recent journey and of the doings that in London he had
witnessed, investing each trifling incident with a garb of wit that
rendered it entertaining.

And Galliard--actuated by the same motives grew reminiscent whenever
Joseph paused and let his nimble tongue--even nimblest at a table amuse
those present, or seem to amuse them, by a score of drolleries.