At the sound of my footstep Lady Wyatt uncovered her face. "Is
there aught that I can do for you, sir?" she asked timidly.
"I have not broken my fast for many hours, madam," I answered. "I
would eat and drink, that I may not be found wanting in strength.
There is a thing that I have yet to do."
Rising from her chair, she brushed away her tears, and coming to
the table with a little housewifely eagerness would not let me wait
upon myself, but carved and poured for me, and then sat down
opposite me and covered her eyes with her hand.
"I think that the Governor is quite safe, madam," I said. "I do not
believe that the Indians will take the palisade. It may even be that,
knowing we are prepared, they will not attack at all. Indeed, I
think that you may be easy about him."
She thanked me with a smile. "It is all so strange and dreadful to
me, sir," she said. "At my home, in England, it was like a Sunday
morning all the year round, - all stillness and peace; no terror, no
alarm. I fear that I am not yet a good Virginian."
When I had eaten, and had drunk the wine she gave me, I rose, and
asked her if I might not see her safe within the fort before I joined
her husband at the palisade. She shook her head, and told me that
there were with her faithful servants, and that if the savages broke
in upon the town she would have warning in time to flee, the fort
being so close at hand.
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