n which I first saw her was a thing of the past; she clothed herself
now like the parrakeets in the forest,--or liker the lilies of the
field, for verily she toiled not, neither did she spin.

Rolfe and I rose from our seats. "Mistress Percy," I said, "let me
present to you a right worthy gentleman and my very good friend, Master
John Rolfe."

She curtsied, and he bowed low. He was a man of quick wit and had been
at court, but for a time he could find no words. Then: "Mistress Percy's
face is not one to be forgotten. I have surely seen it before, though
where"--

Her color mounted, but she answered him indifferently enough. "Probably
in London, amongst the spectators of some pageant arranged in honor of
the princess, your wife, sir," she said carelessly. "I had twice the
fortune to see the Lady Rebekah passing through the streets."

"Not in the streets only," he said courteously. "I remember now: 't
was at my lord bishop's dinner. A very courtly company it was. You were
laughing with my Lord Rich. You wore pearls in your hair"--

She met his gaze fully and boldly. "Memory plays us strange tricks at
times," she told him in a clear, slightly raised voice, "and it hath
been three years since Master Rolfe and his Indian princess were in
London. His memory hath played him false."

She took her seat in the great chair which stood in the centre of the
room, bathed in the sunlight, and the negress brought a cushion for her
feet. It was not until this was done, and until she had resigned her fan
to the slave, who stood behind her slowly waving the plumed toy to and
fro, that she turned her lovely face upon us and bade us be seated.

An hour later a whippoorwill uttered its cry close to the window,
through which now shone the crescent moon. Rolfe started up. "Beshrew
me! but I had forgot that I am to sleep at Chaplain's to-night. I must
hurry on."

I rose, also. "You have had no supper!" I cried. "I too have forgotten."

He shook his head. "I cannot wait. Moreover, I have feasted,--yea, and
drunk deep."

His eyes were very bright, with an exaltation in them as of wine.
Mine, I felt, had the same light. Indeed, we were both drunk with her
laughter, her beauty, and her wit. When he had kissed her hand, and
I had followed him out of the house and down the bank, he broke the
silence.

"Why she came to Virginia I do not know "--

"Nor care to ask," I said.

"Nor care to ask," he repeated, meeting my gaze. "And I know n