“And for the sake of all them,” continued Prudence, “who find anything in me to take an interest in.  O, Philip, I tremble lest you should do or say something again that these dreadful solemn folk, who look sour enough to curdle milk, and hate you because you laugh, may get hold of to do you an injury.  O, Philip, pray be prudent about laughing.”

“Nay, Prudence,” said he, drawing his illustration from what he happened to see at the moment, “you might as well bid yon squirrel not to jump from bough to bough.  It is our nature, and you cannot change a squirrel into an owl, or a man into a block.  But,” he continued, taking her hand, “I have not told thee all.  I know not when I shall see thee again, for I am a banished man.”

“Banished!” repeated Prudence, turning pale; “I thought they had already wronged thee enough for a few innocent words—­and now banished!  What will become of thee, Philip, and of me?”

“Never fear, sweetheart; we will turn their flank yet.  I have been thinking, as I came wandering along, that this Master Spikeman, who keeps mistress Eveline as a sort of prisoner on parole, has an object in getting me out of his way, so as better to carry on his wicked plans.  My jealous pate at first could think only of thee; but now I begin to fancy he may have designs upon pretty mistress Eveline as well as upon thyself.  Nay, never bite your sweet lips till they bleed, nor dart the sparks out of thine eyes, or you may singe my doublet, I do suspect this from the equal desire he hath shown to remove Master Miles Arundel from the colony.  He did threaten him, as I have heard, with some law they have here forbidding a man to pay his court to a maid without license from the worshipful magistrates.”

“Did ever mortal hear the like!” exclaimed Prudence.  “O, the weary magistrates and elders! what is the world coming to?”

“To nothing but Indians in these parts, if they go on in this way, and not let young folk court, unless they keep sending people from England to replenish the stock, and they will get tired of coming when they hear how things are going on.  But, Prudence, banish or no banish, law or no law, they shall not, if thou art agreed, prevent my seeing thee.”

The girl looked affectionately at her lover, and gently returned the pressure of his hand.

“I will hie me to the knight,” continued Philip.  “I happened once to be of use to him, and he is not a man to forget a favor, though he is somewhat changed since the time I first saw him.  He was then a fiery youth, for all he can look so grave at times now.  He hath some credit, for it was by his intercession with the Governor that my imprisonment was shortened.  I will hie me to him, and hear what he advises, more especially as he hath sent for me.  And I bethink me, Prudence, it were no bad thing, if he can do so much, to get him to speak a word for mistress Eveline.”

“An’ thou couldest, it were a good deed, and heaven will reward thee therefor.”