"
She freed her dark hair from its covering, and unclasping her cloak
let it drop to the floor. "Shall I unmask?" she asked, with a sigh.
"Faith! I should keep the bit of silk between your eyes, sir, and my
blushes. Am I ever to be the forward one? Do you not think me too
bold a lady?" As she spoke, her white hands were busy about the
fastening of her mask. "The knot is too hard," she murmured, with
a little tremulous laugh and a catch of her breath.
I untied the ribbons.
"May I not sit down?" she said plaintively, but with soft merriment
in her eyes. "I am not quite strong yet. My heart - you do not know
what pain I have in my heart sometimes. It makes me weep of
nights and when none are by, indeed it does!"
There was a settle beneath the window. I led her to it, and she sat
down.
"You must know that I am walking in the Governor's garden, that
hath only a lane between it and the gaol." Her eyes were downcast,
her cheeks pure rose.
"When did you first love me?" I demanded.
"Lady Wyatt must have guessed why Master Rolfe alone went not
to the bear-baiting, but joined us in the garden. She said the air
was keen, and fetched me her mask, and then herself went indoors
to embroider Samson in the arms of Delilah.'
"Was it here at Jamestown, or was it when we were first wrecked,
or on the island with the pink hill when you wrote my name in the
sand, or" -
"The George will sail in three days, and we are to be taken back to
England after all.
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