Master Jeremy Sparrow had moved a little to
one side, thus exposing to view that which his great body had
before screened from observation, - namely, Mistress Jocelyn
Percy.
In a moment the favorite was before her, hat in hand, bowing to
the ground.
"My quest hath ended where I feared it but begun!" he cried,
flushed and exultant. "I have found my Manoa sooner than I
thought for. Have you no welcome for me, lady?"
She withdrew her arm from mine and curtsied to him profoundly;
then stood erect, indignant and defiant, her eyes angry stars, her
cheeks carnation, scorn on her smiling lips.
"I cannot welcome you as you should be welcomed, my lord," she
said in a clear voice. "I have but my bare hands. Manoa, my lord,
lies far to the southward. This land is quite out of your course, and
you will find here but your travail for your pains. My lord, permit
me to present to you my husband, Captain Ralph Percy. I think that
you know his cousin, my Lord of Northumberland."
The red left the favorite's cheeks, and he moved as though a blow
had been dealt him by some invisible hand. Recovering himself he
bowed to me, and I to him, which done we looked each other in
the eyes long enough for each to see the thrown gauntlet.
"I raise it," I said.
"And I raise it," he answered.
"A l'outrance, I think, sir?" I continued.
Pages:
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96