oulders a little while she passed it under
my back. To do this her two arms must needs go around my body under
the shirt: and I fancy that the sight drove her husband wellnigh past
control: for he growled like a dog and I heard a splash of wine fall
on the floor from the goblet he was still holding.

He obeyed, however, and gave me his arm--albeit sulkily--when
commanded to help me upstairs: and although 'twas done on an impulse
and with no thought of mischief, I did not improve his temper by
pausing in the doorway and casting a look back at his lady. She was
kneeling by the pan, rinsing out the sponge; and with her back
towards us. She did not turn, and so my look went unrewarded; yet--
though this must have been merest fancy--her attitude strengthened my
certainty that she was in distress and in need of help.

In the great tapestried bedroom to which the two men conveyed me Sir
Luke's demeanour changed, and in a fashion at first puzzling.
Having laid me on the bed and taken my assurance that I rested
easily, he sent Pascoe off for a cup of wine and a manchet of bread,
and, while these were being fetched, hung aimlessly about the room,
now walking to and fro with his hands in his pockets, and anon
halting to stare out of window. By-and-by Pascoe brought the tray,
set it on a small table beside the bed, and retired. Sir Luke made
as if to follow him, but paused at the door, shut it, and, coming
back, stood gloomily frowning at me across the bed's foot.

'Where did my wife pick you up?' he asked.

'On the bridge,' I answered, 'where a mob--as I take it, of your
retainers--were having at me with pitchforks as a prelude to cutting
my throat.'

'Was this your first meeting?'

I opened my eyes upon him, with a lift of the brows. 'Yes,' said I
quietly, as though marvelling why he asked it. I think he had the
grace to feel abashed. At any rate he lowered his eyes; nor though
he lifted them presently did he seem able to fix them upon mine.

'You were some sort of rearguard, I suppose? They tell me the main
body of your horse rode clean through and escaped. Do you happen to
know what became of Chester?'

'Chester?' I echoed.

'He commanded our post at the bridge, as I understand. . . . When I
say "ours" 'tis from habit merely. In the early part of the campaign
I led a troop, but withdrew from His Majesty's service more than a
month ago, not being able to stomach Dick Grenville. You know Dick
Grenville?'