"I am very sorry for this intrusion, Mistress Barbara," he said gently. "My corporal, who is but a blundering fellow, made these dispositions while I was away, otherwise, be assured, I should have taken the fellow before he entered your house."
"Yes, that would have been far easier for you," she answered calmly.
"For you, madame," he corrected her, smiling. "May I hope I am forgiven for thus doing my duty?"
Barbara directed upon him a beaming smile.
"Why, as to that, sir, 'tis I who must crave forgiveness for my inhospitality. I' faith, seeing he is not here, I know not why I should be so angry at your visit, I should rather pity such a wild-goose chase. Is it not so?"
"If he were not here, Mistress Barbara, we should deserve no pity, our intrusion would be quite unpardonable."
"But I have told you that he is not here," she answered eagerly.
"True. And I have told you that he is."
Her lips trembled at his resolute tone, and she turned away her head. But in a moment she answered brightly:
"'Tis clear, sir, this is a most unprofitable subject for discussion, seeing we shall never agree. Time must show who is in the right. In the meantime we will conclude the matter thus: If he be here, the worse for him; if he be not here—why, the worse for you. What say you now?"