"And what did you answer?" asked the drost, hastily.
"Eh? what could I answer save 'yes,' sir? But now, are you not steering rather southerly again?"
Drost Peter hastily corrected his error. "Said she nothing more to you?" he resumed, after a pause.
"Ay, true: as she was entering the door, she dropped her red hair-band, which I picked up, and restored to her. That I might not appear a lout, without a word to say, I remarked that she wore the queen's colours as well as my master, the drost. I perceived that she started on hearing this; on which I drew myself up a little; for I know it is an honour that no knight but yourself can boast."
"Stupidity--cursed bravado!" exclaimed Drost Peter, with unusual vehemence. "Moreover, it is untrue: I no longer wear the queen's colours."
"That I knew not, stern sir. You wore them, however, when we travelled from Melfert."
"But now, as I tell you, I no longer wear them; and, for the sake of bragging, you should say nothing but what you know for certain to be true."
Skirmen was abashed, and remained silent.
"And what said she to this stupid boasting?" continued Drost Peter, in a milder tone.
"Nothing, stern sir. Yet it occurred to me, that she was much moved thereat.----But be not angry, stern sir: the helm is a little wrong again."