They looked at me uneasily, and I caught a swift glance from the
Treasurer to Master Pory, and an answering shake of the latter's
head. Rolfe was very white and his lips were set; West was pulling
at his mustaches and staring at the floor.
"With all our hearts we welcome you back to life and to the
service of Virginia, Captain Percy," said the Governor, when the
silence had become awkward.
A murmur of assent went round the room.
I bowed. "I thank you, sir, and these gentlemen very heartily. You
have but to command me now. I find that I have to-day the best
will in the world toward fighting. I trust that your Honor does not
deem it necessary to send me back to gaol?"
"Virginia has no gaol for Captain Percy," he answered gravely.
"She has only grateful thanks and fullest sympathy."
I glanced at him keenly. "Then I hold myself at your command, sir,
when I shall have seen and spoken with my wife."
He looked at the floor, and they one and all held their peace.
"Madam," I said to Lady Wyatt, "I have been watching your
ladyship's face. Will you tell me why it is so very full of pity, and
why there are tears in your eyes?"
She shrank back in her chair with a little cry, and Rolfe stepped
toward me, then turned sharply aside. "I cannot!" he cried, " I that
know" -
I drew myself up to meet the blow, whatever it might be.
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