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r amused gaze upon Master Paul. "Master Hungerford," she entreated, "will you be so good as to wait awhile in the next chamber. I have some immediate business to deal with, but I would be loath to part company with you so soon if you have the leisure to wait." Master Hungerford, protesting his readiness to attend upon her pleasure, was promptly ushered by Halfman into an adjoining room, where he left him, and having closely shut the door, came back shaking with suppressed laughter to Brilliana. Evander, looking from the mirthful man to the mirthful maid, felt constrained to question. "Why are you so merry?" "You will know ere the sun is much older," Brilliana answered, composing her countenance, "for here comes the other." As she spoke Tiffany returned, ushering in Master Peter Rainham and a fresh brace of Brilliana's servants, staggering, like their predecessors, under the weight of a great chest. The certainty that some astonishing jest was towards set Evander on the alert as he scrutinized the forbidding form and features of the new-comer. "Welcome, thrice welcome, Master Peter Rainham," cried Brilliana. "You have made good speed." Master Peter proffered her an uncouth salutation and pointed to the chest on the floor significantly. "Lady," he said, "I have done the King a good turn. There are gold plates there, gold dishes, gold ewers, that will change in the melting-pot to many a troop of horse for the King's cause." "I thank you with all my heart," Brilliana said, quietly. Master Peter leered cunningly at her, and earned the cordial dislike of Evander. "Do you give me your heart with your thanks?" he asked, with what he believed to be gallantry. Brilliana made a little fanning motion at him with her hand. "You are too hot," she said. Then ordered Tiffany, "See these treasures despatched to the King under guard." As before, the serving-men took up the chest, which seemed even heavier than the former box, and were convoyed by Tiffany out of the room. Then Brilliana turned to Master Peter, who stood apart biting his nails awkwardly. "Master Rainham," she said, "you have shown rare discretion and made brave despatch. I would thank you at greater length were it not that I have company. There is one in the next room who waits to see me. Entreat the gentleman to enter, Captain Halfman." Halfman went to the nigh door, and, opening it, summoned with beckoning finger its tenant to come fo
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