But once more he faced me before he went, and looked very intently at me.
Then he passed out, leaving us alone.
At his going Nell sighed for relief, stretched out her arms, and let them fall on the table in front of her; then she sprang up and ran to me, catching hold of my hands.
"And how goes all at pretty Hatchstead ?" she asked.
I drew back, releasing my hands from hers, and I spoke to her stiffly.
"Madame," said I, "this is not Hatchstead, nor do you seem the lady whom I knew at Hatchstead." "Indeed, you seem very like the gentleman I knew, and knew well, there," she retorted.
"And you, very unlike the lady." "Nay, not so unlike as you think.

But are you also going to preach to me ?" "Madame," said I in cold courtesy, "I have to thank you for a good remembrance of me, and for your kindness in doing me a service; I assure you I prize it none the less, because I may not accept it." "You may not accept it ?" she cried.

"What?
You may not accept the commission ?" "No, madame," said I, bowing low.
Her face was like a pretty child's in disappointment.
"And your arm?
How come you to be wounded?
Have you been quarrelling already ?" "Already, madame." "But with whom, and why ?" "With my Lord Carford.

The reason I need not weary you with." "But I desire to know it." "Because my lord said that Mistress Gwyn had obtained me my commission." "But it was true." "Doubtless; yet I fought." "Why, if it were true ?" I made her no answer.

She went and seated herself again at the table, looking up at me with eyes in which I seemed to read pain and puzzle.
"I thought it would please you, Simon," she said, with a coaxing glance that at least feigned timidity.
"Never have I been so proud as on the day I received it," said I; "and never, I think, so happy, unless, may be, when you and I walked in the Manor park." "Nay, Simon, but you will be glad to have it, even though I obtained it for you." "I shall not have it.