“And fifteen was none too soon to wed.”

“And did he say naught else appertaining thereto?”

“Nay, I know naught else he could say!” and the innocence of her inquiring face proved his evil imagining a perjury.  He caught his breath in a flutter of sheer heart’s-ease.

“Now who is this swain who hath taken advantage of my invitation and come up from among the rustics yonder to make love to thee?  I will run him through the first time I meet his insolence.  Who is he, Kate; what’s his name?” She vouchsafing no answer, aroused his suspicion.

“’Sdeath! what ails thy tongue?  Haste thee, what is his name?” and he glared at her, furiously, ’til she was well nigh cold with fright.

“Sooth, thou art strong with temper for the very meagre cause a maiden will not bewray a poor man’s name.”

“Poor, indeed, when such as thou bestoweth upon him the priceless gift of thy heart as a locker for his secrets; by God! give his name, quick, ere I slay a dozen for one paltry fool that would rob me!” She read aright the steely light ’neath his half-closed lids and was distraught, for she dared not give him the name of one of his guests; for the noble Russian Adrian Cantemir had pressed his suit and was upheld by Lady Constance, who told him of Katherine’s vast demesne, knowing well he could not marry one without estates, as his were in great depletion.  And the noble Cantemir had well nigh won her heart by his voice and music, and now that he was in danger of Lord Cedric’s anger, he became an object of commiseration, and not for her life would she give his name to this raging man with murder in his heart.

“Nay, nay, my lord; give me grace.  I have told thee truly all else, and now I beg—­”

“Dost thou say thou wilt not give his name?  Then, by God, I will cut my way to his black heart!” He drew his sword and strode forth to slash the curtain that barred his way, and Katherine caught his upstretched arm and fell upon her knees, bursting into tears.  At sight of tears and touch of fingers he dropped his sword and raised her quickly, saying: 

“Nay, nay, not tears.  Dry them, Sweet, they wring my heart to greater pain than all thy secrets, and for this one thou boldest I will take thy shoulder-knot instead.”  She looked up surprised at the sudden surcease of storm, and seeing his handsome face becalmed, she wondered at the magic that had caused it, and her heart smote her for withholding aught from one that loved her so.  She hastily drew from her shoulder the knot of violets that were still humid with freshness; and as she drew the fastenings the lace fell from her shoulder, disclosing her too-low cut bodice, and Cedric’s quick eye saw why the screen of lace was used, and with trembling fingers caught up the lace and drew from his steenkirk a rare jewel and pinned it safe as deftly as her maid.  He touched her hand with his warm red lips, saying in a voice resonant as music:  “God bless