“It was difficult,” retorted the other with somewhat more diffidence in her tone than had characterized her speech before now.  “Young Squire Delamere committed suicide ... you remember him? ... and Lord Cooke killed Sir Humphrey Clinton in a duel after that fracas we had here, when the police-patrol well-nigh seized upon your person....  Squire Delamere’s suicide and Sir Humphrey’s death caused much unpleasant talk.  And old Mistress Delamere, the mother, hath I fear me, still a watchful eye on us.  She means to do us lasting mischief....  It had been wiser to tarry yet awhile....  Twelve months is not sufficient for throwing the dust of ages over us and our doings....  That is my husband’s opinion and also mine....  A scandal such as you propose to have to-night, will bring the Protector’s spies about our ears ... his police too, mayhap ... and then Heaven help us all, mistress ... for you, in the country, cannot conceive how rigorously are the laws enforced now against gambling, betting, swearing or any other form of innocent amusement....  Why! two wenches were whipped at the post by the public hangman only last week, because forsooth they were betting on the winner amongst themselves, whilst watching a bout of pell-mell....  And you know that John Howthill stood in the pillory for two hours and had both his hands bored through with a hot iron for allowing gambling inside his coffeehouse. ...  And so, mistress, you will perceive that I am speaking but in your own interests....”

Editha, who had listened to the long tirade with marked impatience, here interrupted the voluble lady, with harsh command.

“I crave your pardon, mistress,” she said peremptorily.  “My interests pre-eminently consist in being obeyed by those whom I pay for doing my behests.  Now you and your worthy husband live here rent free and derive a benefit of ten pounds every time our guests assemble....  Well! in return for that, I make use of you and your names, in case of any unpleasantness with the vigilance patrol ... or in case of a scandal which might reach my Lord Protector’s ears....  Up to this time your positions here have been a sinecure....  I even bore the brunt of the last fracas whilst you remained practically scathless....  But to-night, I own it, there may be some risks ... but of a truth you have been well paid to take them.”

“But if we refuse to take the risks,” retorted the other.

“If you refuse, mistress,” said Editha with a careless shrug of the shoulders, “you and your worthy lord go back to the gutter where I picked you up ... and within three months of that time, I should doubtless have the satisfaction of seeing you both at the whipping-post, for of a truth you would be driven to stealing or some other equally unavowable means of livelihood.”

“We could send you there,” said Mistress Endicott, striving to suppress her own rising fury, “if we but said the word.”

“Nay! you would not be believed, mistress ... but even so, I do not perceive how my social ruin would benefit you.”