"They feared to miss their sport if they asked leave a second time," said Rolf, "and so they slipped away while thy back was turned to them."
"Young fools!" muttered Shameless Wayne, as he went out. "Could they not keep to home when those who strew hemlock privily are within pistol-shot?—I'll walk round the yard and outbuildings, Rolf, and see if aught else has gone amiss."
"Hadst better have company," said Wayne of Cranshaw, moving to his feet.
"Nay. The times are hard for love-making; take thy chance while thou hast it, Rolf, or it may not come again."
Rolf looked after him, and wondered at his bitterness. But Nell, remembering Janet Ratcliffe, knew well enough which way her brother's thoughts were tending, and she sighed impatiently.
"'Tis well to love by kinship," she said.
Rolf missed her meaning, being full of his own fears for her.
"I've loved thee well, dear, and I fear to lose thee," he said, after a silence. "Wilt wed me out of hand and let me take thee safe to Cranshaw?"
"Not yet, Rolf. I cannot." Her voice was low; but he gleaned scant hope even from its tenderness.
"Think," he urged. "It is hard to have waited for the good day—waited through summer heat and winter frost, Nell—and then to see such danger lying on the threshold as may rob me of my right in thee. Thou know'st these Ratcliffe swine; a woman's honour is cheap as a man's life to them. Lass, give me the right to have thee in keeping day and night."