w made no further attempt to disguise her
terror.

"What must I do, Mr. Anneys?" she asked. "What must I do?"

"Send your brother away from Cumberland to-night. I say he must leave
to-night. To-morrow morning may be too late to prevent a great
humiliation. Aspatria begged me to come to you. I do not say I wanted
to come."

At this moment the door opened, and Sarah Sandys entered. Brune
turned, and saw her; and his heart stood still. She came slowly
forward, her garment of pale-green and white just touching her
sandalled feet. She had a rush basket full of violets in her hands;
there were primroses in her breast and belt, and her face was like a
pink rose. High on her head her fair hair was lifted, and, being
fastened with a large turquoise comb, it gave the idea of sunshine and
blue sky.

Brune stood looking at her, as a mortal might look at the divine
Cytherea made manifest. His handsome, open face, full of candid
admiration, had almost an august character. He bowed to her, as men
bow when they bend their heart and give its homage and delight. Sarah
was much impressed by the young man's beauty, and she felt his swift
adoration of her own charms. She made Lady Redware introduce her to
Brune, and she completed her conquest of the youth as she stood a
moment holding his hand and smiling with captivating grace into his
eyes.

Then Lady Redware explained Brune's mission, and Sarah grasped the
situation without any disguises. "It simply means flight, Elizabeth,"
she said. "What could Ulfar do with fifty or sixty angry Cumberland
squires? He would have to go. In fact, I know they have a method of
persuasion no mortal man can resist."

Brune saw that his errand was accomplished. Lady Redware thanked him
for his consideration, and Sarah rang for the tea-service, and made
him a cup, and gave it to him with her own lovely hands. Brune saw
their exquisite form, their translucent glow, the sparkling of
diamonds and emeralds upon them. The tea was as if brewed in
Paradise; it tasted of all things delightful; it was a veritable cup
of enchantments.

Then Brune rode away, and the two women watched him over the hill. He
sat his great black hunter like a cavalry officer; and the creature
devoured the distance with strides that made their hearts leap to the
sense of its power and life.

"He is the very handsomest man I ever saw!" said Sarah.

"What is to be done about Ulfar? Sarah, you must manage this business.
He will not