t alone, and none so ill-fitted to care for
herself have I ever seen. But she tells me that John Howland hath spoken
to her, and she is not ill inclined to him. Would not it be approved of
your judgment, Governor?"

"Ay, if in truth both parties desire it, dame. Suppose we have Howland
in before us now, and ask him his will? Thou canst deal with the maid
after."

"He is just without, cleaving some fuel for this fire, if your
excellency will please to call him."

"I will, but first, Dame, let me beg thee, of our old friendship, of the
love I bore thy husband and he to me, treat me not with such cruel
formality. True it is that his honors have fallen upon me, and that his
place knoweth him no more; and yet it is his spirit, his counsel, and
his ensample that rules my poor actions at every turn. Be not jealous,
be not resentful, mistress, though well I wot so loving and so faithful
a heart as thine cannot well escape such weakness, for 't is part of
woman's nature. But canst not be a little mindful of thine old friend's
feelings too, and soften somewhat of this stately ceremony in speaking
to him?"

"Yes, he loved thee, he loved thee well, and he would have chidden me"--

"Nay, nay, weep not, Dame Katharine. I did not mean to grieve thee but
only to tell how I was grieved; but then, we men are still too clumsy to
meddle with women's tender natures. Be what thou wilt, speak as thou
wilt to me dear Dame, I am and ever shall be thy faithful friend and
servant."

He went out as he spoke, and when a few moments later Howland and he
returned together the lady had resumed her usual quietude of manner.

"Sit thee down, John. Mistress Carver and I have somewhat to ask of
thee. Art thou minded to wed?"

"Not while my mistress needeth my service."

"Mayhap 't will further her comfort, John."

"Is it thy wish, Dame?" and the young man turned so eager a face toward
her, and spoke so brightly, that a smile stirred the widow's pale lips
as she replied,--

"'T is plain enough that 't is thy wish, John, and it will wonderfully
content my conscience in the matter of bringing Desire Minter away from
the home she had, poor though it then seemed."

"Desire Minter!" echoed Howland.

"Why yes, she told me how you spoke to her the day the Mayflower sailed,
and she modestly avows that she is well content to be thy wife."

"But"--

"What is it, Howland? Speak out, man," interposed Bradford with
authority. "Thou seemest dazed."