you cry. Have you lost your wits?"

"I only know," exulted Nell, "I made him swear his love for Nell to
Portsmouth's face. I made him draw his sword for Nell."

"Great Heavens!" exclaimed Moll, aghast. "You did not draw yourself? A
sword against the King is treason."

"Ods-bodikins, I know not!" answered Nell. "I know not what I did or
said. I was mad, mad! All I remember is: there was a big noise--a
million spears and blunderbusses turned upon poor me! Gad! I made a
pretty target, girl."

"A million spears and blunderbusses!" echoed Moll, her eyes like
saucers.

"An army, child, an army!" continued Nell, in half-frantic accents. "I
did not stop to count them. Then, next I knew, I was in my coach, with
dear old Strings beside me. The horses flew. We alighted at the Chapel,
tiptoed about several corners to break the scent; then I took off my
shoes and stole up the back way like a good and faithful husband. Oh, I
did the whole thing in cavalier-style, sweetheart. But,'twixt us, Moll,"
and she spoke with a mysterious, confidential air,"--I wouldn't have it
go further for worlds--Adair is a coward, a monstrous coward! He ran!"

As if to prove the truth of her words, at a sudden, sharp, shrill sound
from the direction of the park, the sad remnant of Adair clutched Moll
frantically; and both girls huddled together with startled faces and
bated breaths.

"Hark! What is that?" whispered Nell.

"The men, perchance, I told you of," answered Moll; "they've spied about
the house for weeks."

"Nonsense, you little goose," remonstrated Nell, though none too
bravely; "some of your ex-lovers nailing their bleeding hearts to the
trees."

"No, no; listen!" exclaimed Moll, frantically, as the noise grew louder.
"They're in the entry."

"In the entry!" stammered Nell; and she almost collapsed at the thought
of more adventures. "I wish we were in bed, with our heads under the
sheet."

"Here is your sword," said Moll, as she brought Nell the sharp weapon,
held well at arm's length for fear of it.

"Oh, yes, my sword!" exclaimed Nell, perking up--for an instant only. "I
never thought of my sword; and this is one of the bravest swords I ever
drew. I am as weak as a woman, Moll."

"Take heart," said Moll, encouraging her from the rear, as Nell
brandished the glittering blade in the direction of the door. "You know
you faced an army to-night."

"True," replied Nell, her courage oozing out at her finger-tips, "but
then I was