rth. Master Hungerford emerged
radiant. For a moment neither squire saw the other. Then Master
Rainham, looking away from Brilliana, saw Master Hungerford; and
Master Hungerford, looking away from Halfman, saw Master Rainham.

To those who watched the comedy the silence was intense, and
throbbing with possibilities as summer air throbs with heat.
Brilliana heard Master Rainham say, "What a devil, Master
Hungerford," and Halfman, for his part, averred later that Master
Hungerford, too, greeted his neighbor's presence with an oath. The
spectators wondered what would happen: it was plain as noon that each
squire for an instant believed that the other had discovered larceny
and had posted to avenge it. But while each man knew of his own guilt
neither could guess or did guess at the other's theft, and neither
reading anger in the other's visage, each concluded that the meeting
was a piece of chance, and each resolved to make the best of it,
laughing heartily in his sleeve at the other's catastrophe. So
"Good-morrow, neighbor," nodded Master Paul, and "Good-day,
good-day," responded Master Peter, and Brilliana thought her bodice
would burst with her effort to keep her appreciation a prisoner.

"Why, sirs," she cried, "this is a good seeing, a pair of neighbors
under my roof."

"What does this fellow here?" Master Paul asked behind his hand of
Halfman, who answered, very coolly,

"He comes to pay court to our lady."

At the same moment, beneath his breath, Master Peter was questioning
Brilliana, "Why is that disloyal rogue here?" Brilliana answered,
with a pretty toss of the head:

"Would you ever believe it? He came to assure me of his devotion to
me and his zeal for his Majesty."

Master Peter, in wrath, looked more porcine than ever.

"The lying knave," he grunted. "What are his words to my deeds?"

"What, indeed," answered Brilliana, demurely. "I pray you persuade
him hence."

"So that I may return alone?"

Thus Master Peter interpreted Brilliana, and the minx gave him a
glance which might well be taken as justifying his interpretation. At
this moment Master Paul broke in upon their colloquy.

"A word with you, I pray you," he said, sourly, "if my good neighbor
will give me good leave."

Master Rainham withdrew a little way his self-satisfaction and
himself, while Master Paul whispered to Brilliana:

"You know me now: I am proved your friend. Prithee get rid of that
mean huckster."

Brilliana desired n