At sudden sight of her, Captain Protheroe leapt quickly back out of his opponent's reach and lowered his swordpoint, at the same moment Barbara seized Sir Ralph's arm.
She seized his arm, but her eyes were fixed on Captain Protheroe in wide-eyed indignation and reproach.
"Oh! This is too much," she gasped; "you might have killed him."
The possibility of Ralph killing the captain had not entered her head, but the insult and the compliment went unheeded by each. They thought only of the anxiety implied in her words.
"This must end now, forever," she continued firmly; "Captain Protheroe, 'tis for you to apologise."
"Madame!"
"Certainly, sir, you are in the wrong."
He stared at her in wonder.
"Do you know the cause of our quarrel, Mistress Barbara?" he asked doubtfully.
"Assuredly," she answered in surprise, for she deemed it but the consummation of the quarrel she had interrupted on Sedgemoor. "Assuredly. I am of one mind with Ralph in this matter; he is in the right, and you have been mistaken."