I am a dull fellow, and to-day I know not what mood is on me.

So sorry a one that I feared I should be poor company.

Still, if you'll endure me, I'll do my best to prove entertaining." "By no means," she answered coldly.

"I seek not the company of dull fellows." And she was gone.
He stood where she had left him, and breathed a most ungallant prayer of thanks.

Next he laughed softly to himself, a laugh that was woeful with bitterness.
"Fore George!" he muttered, "it is all that was wanting!" He reseated himself upon the fallen tree, and there he set himself to reflect, and to realize that he, war-worn and callous, come to Castle Marleigh on such an errand as was his, should wax sick at the very thought of it for the sake of a chit of a maid, with a mind to make a mock and a toy of him.