said he, doggedly; "no hope, no fear."

She stared, but said nothing.

He had hardly got into the room when, click, a key was turned in the
door of communication. "A traveller there!" said he. Then, bitterly,
"Things are soon forgotten in an inn."

"Not by me," said Barbara solemnly. "But you know our dame, she can't
let money go by her. 'Tis our best room, mostly, and nobody would use
it that knows the place. He is a stranger. He is from the wars: will
have it he is English, but talks foreign. He is civil enough when he
is sober, but when he has got a drop he does maunder away to be sure,
and sings such songs I never."

"How long has he been here?" asked Cowen.

"Five days, and the mistress hopes he will stay as many more, just to
break the spell."

"He can stay or go," said Cowen. "I am in no humor for company. I
have been robbed, girl."

"You robbed, sir? Not openly, I am sure."

"Openly--but by numbers--three of them. I should soon have sped one,
but my pistol snapped fire just like his. There, leave me, girl; fate
is against me, and a curse upon me. Bubbled out of my fortune in the
City, robbed of my gold upon the road. To be honest is to be a fool."

He flung himself on the bed with a groan of anguish, and the ready
tears ran down soft Barbara's cheeks. She had tact, however, in her
humble way, and did not prattle to a strong man in a moment of wild
distress. She just turned and cast a lingering glance of pity on him,
and went to fetch him food and wine. She had often seen an unhappy man
the better for eating and drinking.

When she was gone, he cursed himself for his weakness in letting her
know his misfortunes. They would be all over the house soon. "Why,
that fellow next door must have heard me bawl them out. I have lost my
head," said he, "and I never needed it more."

Barbara returned with the cold powdered beef and carrots, and a bottle
of wine she had paid for herself. She found him sullen, but composed.
He made her solemnly promise not to mention his losses. She consented
readily, and said, "You know I can hold my tongue."

When he had eaten and drunk, and felt stronger, he resolved to put a
question to her. "How about that poor fellow?"

She looked puzzled a moment, then turned pale, and said solemnly, "'Tis
for this day week, I hear. 'Twas to be last week, but the King did
respite him for a fortnight."

"Ah! indeed! Do you know why?"

"No, indeed. In his place