ipped him up with a new proposal.

"Stop, stop; not so fast," he protested. "The fellow has not pledged
the King yet. Let him drink the King's health first and be damned to
him."

The others applauded, but Ingrow, noting a certain sterner tightening
of Evander's mouth, interrupted.

"I'll wager he will not drink," he said, looking maliciously from the
flushed faces of the Cavaliers to the pale face of the Puritan.
Rufus's temper blazed instantly.

"Will not drink, say you!" he cried. "This mewcant shall pledge at
our pleasure or taste our displeasure."

He strode to the table, filled a cup of wine, and set it down on the
corner nearest to Evander.

"Come, you Roundpoll," he continued--"come, you Geneva mumbler, here
is a cup for you to wash down the dust of your dry thoughts. Drink, I
give you 'The King.'"

Evander gazed steadfastly at the irate gentleman and made no motion
to take the wine. Brilliana, from where she stood, watching him
curiously, wrestled with a reluctant admiration of his carriage.
Ingrow commented, smoothly, maliciously:

"You see, the gentleman does not drink."

Ingrow's words fanned the Cavalier fire.

"Damn him for a disloyal rat!" Radlett shouted. Halfman elbowed his
way past him and addressed Rufus.

"Sweet Sir Rufus," he said, "I have lived in places where a little
persuasion has often led folk to act much against their personal
inclinations and desires. Out swords and force the toast."

As he spoke he drew his sword with his best Mercutio manner, and the
suggestion and the naked steel carried contagion. Every gentleman
unsheathed his sword; all advanced upon Evander, a line of shining
points.

"Bait him, bait him!" Bardon shouted.

Ingrow shrilled, "Tickle him, prick him, pink him till he drinks!"

Though Evander surveyed his enemies as composedly as if they had been
children threatening him with pins, Brilliana knew that the spirit of
mischief was alive and that the Cavaliers would not boggle at
cruelty, six to one, for the sport of making a Parliament man honor
the King against his will. She hated the man, but she would not have
him so handled. Instantly she stepped between Evander and the
Cavaliers, who fell back with lowered points before their hostess.

"Wait, sirs," she ordered, "let me see if my entreaties will not make
the bear more gracious."

She took up the cup where Rufus had set it down, and, coming close to
Evander, held the vessel to him with her sweetest