ime since the irruption of the
Cavaliers became in any sense an object of public interest. None of
the new-comers had paid any heed to the sombre-habited prisoner;
Halfman had forgotten his captive in his jealous study of the men who
had raised the siege; Thoroughgood, with the Puritan's sword resting
idly on his left arm, was as absorbed in the converse of Sir Rufus
and his comrades as were his subordinates Garlinge and Clupp, who,
though they gripped their prisoner tightly, were as indifferent to
his existence as if he had been the turbaned dummy of a quintain.
But now on the instant every glance was turned on Evander, and Sir
Rufus, eying him with much disfavor, asked of Brilliana, "Who is your
prisoner?"

Evander made a step forward unrestrained by his guards, and answered
for himself composedly.

"I am Captain Cloud, of the parliamentary army, snared under a flag
of truce."

He was so well restrained in his speech and carriage, so quiet a
contrast to the heated gentlemen who glared at him, that to an
uninformed observer he might very well have seemed the judge rather
than the one on trial. Rufus snapped at him like an angry dog.

"Well, you tub-thumper, you see that the gentlemen of England are
more than a match for pestilent pennyweight rebels."

Evander surveyed his truculent opponent with a tranquil contempt
which had its effect in increasing the irritation of the Cavalier.

"You play the valiant braggart to a captive," he commented, quietly.
Then he turned to Brilliana as one who had no further desire for
treaty with a fellow of this kind.

"Let me remind you, lady, that I came here under a flag of truce."

Brilliana had forgotten Evander in the exhilaration of her relief.
But now that he had come into her mind again, so with his image had
flooded in again all the prejudices he provoked, the scorn, the
hatred.

"That plea cannot release you," she answered, hotly. "Your time was
up, your sword was drawn; I am very sure you would have joined your
men."

Evander, whose arms were now released from bondage by Garlinge and
Clupp, made a gesture of absolute acquiescence.

"I am very sure I should have joined my men," he answered, calmly.
Brilliana rounded on him triumphant.

"Then you are a prisoner of war, fairly taken. Let me have no more
words."

As indifferent to her words as to the angry carriage of the
Cavaliers, Evander stepped tranquilly back to his place between his
warders.

"I have no m