Captain Protheroe raised his head with a quick hope. "Ah?" he questioned breathlessly.
"Yes. And"—she continued hurriedly—"in this quarrel Ralph was in the wrong. I—I do not wish you to leave me."
A moment he paused. Then he answered in a low restrained voice:
"While I can serve you I will remain. But, an you need me no more, I pray you then, in pity, turn away your face and let me go."
But Barbara turned her head and looked at him, and she whispered softly, so softly that he but caught the words ere they died away:
"Nay, sir, but what an I need thee all my days?" And having so spoken again she turned away her head.
The birds' chorus rose loud and triumphant in the human silence that followed, while he took her hands in his and pressed them to his lips.
Then he tried to see her face, but 'twas still turned from him, he could but see one crimson cheek and the curling lashes resting upon it. He sighed softly, but smiled withal.
"Mistress Barbara," he pleaded, "have I not told you your eyes are like unto the clear depths of the heavens? Alas! why are the heavens so oft veiled from the gaze of man?"
She answered not, but turned her head slightly, and he saw a smile was playing round her lips.