But Captain Protheroe was not altogether unversed in the ways of women, and though he enjoyed to the full the pleasant companionship of her manner, and drank deep of her beauty, he was in no wise mindful to allow her charms to turn his thoughts from the matter in hand.
And as he watched her carefully, he noted how from time to time she would break off abruptly in the middle of a sentence and listen anxiously to some distant sound in the house, while the smile died from her face, and her eyes widened with fear. She twisted her fingers nervously together as she talked, and her laugh was high and shrill.
"She plays her part admirably," he muttered to himself, "but she should not show her eyes."
"'Tis strange how falsely that base churl Rumour reports," he began, when Barbara paused once to listen anxiously to the movements of the searchers overhead. "Now concerning you, madame, methinks he hath totally misspoken."
"Why, what saith Rumour concerning me?" questioned Barbara with interest.
"In the first place," he continued, eyeing her steadily, "he reports that you are fearless both of men, mice, and devils."
"And what then?" she asked, her eyes flashing proudly.
"Why, I say he is a lying fellow, for I see you are as timid as—as a woman."
"I, sir, timid!" she cried indignantly.
"Aye, madame, you start and tremble at every sound."