“May a friend inquire after the cause of your sudden departure?” asked the knight.

“It hath some connection,” answered the young man, slightly blushing, “with a matter wherewith you are already acquainted, I know not why I should hesitate to aver before yourself and Philip that it hath reference to mistress Eveline Dunning.”

“Fear not to speak the honest impulses of thine heart, Master Arundel,” said the knight, “nor deem that I can take amiss thy preference of the starry eyes of pretty mistress Eveline to a hermitage in the wood.”

“She desires to see me,” returned the young man, “and I hold it a sacred duty to watch over her, for she is a lamb in the jaws of a lion.”

“My opinion of the worshipful Master Spikeman,” said the knight, “is not much more favorable than thine own, though mine eyes be not blinded by the deceitful mists of passion.  Be wary, however, else mayest thou incur an enmity which it were well to avoid.”

“What wouldest have me do, Sir Christopher?” demanded the young man, rising with some impatience.  “Detains he not my affianced bride?  Refuses he not even to allow me to see her, and must not our meetings be stolen?  Does he not deny the solemn obligation he took upon himself by the death-bed of his too confiding friend, to unite Eveline with me in marriage, and is he not thereby a perjured wretch, regardless alike of his vow to God and of duty to the dead and living?  I care not for his enmity, but prefer it to his friendship, nor will I tamely permit him to triumph in his villainy.”

“Calm thyself, Master Arundel,” said the knight; “truly I counselled no such thing.  My heart is with thee, and my hand at thy service in this matter, for I esteem thee wronged, but neither violence of speech nor precipitancy in action will avail to right thee.  All means of persuasion are not exhausted.  Why not endeavor to interest Governor Winthrop in thy behalf?”

“To what purpose?  Suppose you he would take my word in opposition to that of a fellow saint and magistrate?”

“Unjust!  Master Arundel; degrade not the noble Winthrop, a pattern of many Christian virtues, and some knightly qualities, by such association.  But to thy word would be superadded that of the young lady.  He must believe her.”

“Nay, Sir Christopher, your eagle glance at once detects falsehood wherewith it has no affinity, and you judge of others according to the standard of your own nobleness, but I am persuaded the attempt would be in vain.  The case stands thus:  there is really but witness against witness, for what know I of what occurred at the death-bed of Eveline’s father, except what she herself has told me?  Kind though may be the heart of the Governor, and sound his judgment, the false asseveration of the Assistant would outweigh the declaration of Eveline; and, did it not, and were he ever so favorably disposed, no court in this New Canaan, as they call it, would decide against one of the congregation in favor of an orphan girl not protected by their magic covenant, and whose hand is sought by an intruder into their fold.”