Part 2 (2/2)

”Master Lionel! Master Lionel!” he cried, his s master's face ”What be aone to Arwenack upon a punitive business,” said he

”An' what be that, zur?” quoth Nicholas

”He has gone to punish Sir John for having rin spread upon the weather-beaten countenance of Nicholas

”Be that so? Marry, 'twere tiue”

Lionel stood amazed at the man's easy confidence and supreme assurance of how his master must acquit himself

”You you have no fear, Nicholas” He did not add of what But the servant understood, and his grin grew broader still

”Fear? Lackaday! I bain't afeeard for Sir Oliver, and doan't ee be afeeard Sir Oliver'll be home to sup with a sharp-set appetite--'tis the only difference fighting ever made to he”

The servant was justified of his confidence by the events, though through a slight error of judgment Sir Oliver did not quite accoer, and when he deemed that he had been affronted, he was--as his chronicler never wearies of insisting, and as you shall judge before the end of this tale is reached--of a tigerish ruthlessness He rode to Arwenack fully resolved to kill his calu less would satisfy hirehich commanded the entrance to the estuary of the Fal, and froht be surveyed as far as the Lizard, fifteen miles away, he found Peter Godolphin there before him; and because of Peter's presence Sir Oliver was more deliberate and formal in his accusation of Sir John than he had intended He desired, in accusing Sir John, also to clear himself in the eyes of Rosamund's brother, to make the latter realize how entirely odious were the calumnies which Sir John had permitted himself, and how basely prompted

Sir John, however, caainst the Pirate of Penarrow--as he had coe as was his visitor

They found a secluded corner of the deer-park for their business, and there Sir John--a slie--er upon Sir Oliver, full worthy of the onslaught he had ue But his i Sir Oliver was come there with a certain purpose, and it was his way that he never failed to carry through a thing to which he set his hand

In threehis blade, whilst Sir John lay coughing upon the turf tended by white-faced Peter Godolphin and a scared groom who had been bidden thither to make up the necessary tale of witnesses

Sir Oliver sheathed his weapons and resumed his coat, then ca him critically

”I think I have silenced him for a little time only,” he said ”And I confess that I intended to do better I hope, however, that the lesson will suffice and that he will lie nome”

”Do you ry protest

”God forbid!” said Sir Oliver soberly ”There is nobut regret--regret that I should not have done the thing hly I will send assistance froood day, Master Peter”

From Arwenack he rode round by Penryn on his hoht home He paused at the Gates of Godolphin Court, which stood above Trefusis Point co the view of Carrick Roads He turned in under the old gateway and drew up in the courtyard Leaping to the kidney-stones that paved it, he announced himself a visitor to Mistress Rosaht, turreted chamber on the mansion's eastern side, s that looked out upon that lovely sheet of water and the wooded slopes beyond She was sitting with a book in her lap in the deep of that tall hen he entered, preceded and announced by Sally Pentreath, who, now her tire-woman, had once been her nurse

She rose with a little exclaladness when he appeared under the lintel--scarce high enough to ad hi cheeks

What need is there to describe her? In the blaze of notoriety into which she was anon to be thrust by Sir Oliver Tressilian there was scarce a poet in England who did not sing the grace and loveliness of Rosaments have survived Like her brother she was tawny headed and she was divinely tall, though as yet her figure in its girlishness was alht

”I had not looked for you so early” she was beginning, when she observed that his countenance was oddly stern ”Why what has happened?” she cried, her intuitions claht to alar that may vex you” He set an arale, and gently led her back to her chair, then flung himself upon the -seat beside her ”You hold Sir John Killigrew in some affection?”

he said between stateuardian until e”

Sir Oliver made a wry face ”Aye, there's the rub Well, I've all but killed hi before him, and he saw horror leap to her eyes and blench her face He made haste to explain the causes that had led to this, he told her briefly of the calu hi been thwarted in a matter of his coveted licence to build at Smithick