His face and voice were hard and her heart beat wildly, but she fought the rising fear and answered proudly:
"Captain Protheroe, none but a fool goeth to war without counting the cost. I am no fool, sir."
Suddenly his whole bearing changed, his face softened, and, raising her hand to his lips he said gently:
"Madame, I salute the bravest lady I have ever known."
Barbara flushed crimson.
"Nay, not so, sir," she answered, smiling bravely, "for there is yet a third story I have heard. For I have heard that in these last days it has been everywhere the custom for king's officers stationed in our villages to take up their quarters in the houses of the rebels, driving forth the occupants and taking unto themselves all their goods. Yet Cicely and I have remained here undisturbed. So I knew well, sir, that in playing my part I had to deal with no Kirke or Jeffries but with a gentleman of heart and honour, in whom a woman could place her trust."
"Can so small a matter win a woman's trust?" he asked doubtfully.
For an instant Barbara sat silent, twining her fingers together nervously, and breathing hard. She was preparing for her last great stake.
Then she turned to him. Her eyes betrayed her fear, but her voice was firm:
"Captain Protheroe, my brother lieth hid in the fisherman's hut, three miles eastward along the coast from Watchet. From thence he will escape to-morrow morn in a vessel bound for Holland."