Presently Simon returned, and we threw more wood on the fire. Then I gave Sir George and his man some of the biscuits and bacon, which I had purchased at my last stopping place. The meat we roasted before the blaze on sharpened sticks, eating it smoking hot. I prepared some for Lucille, giving them to her on a clean washed piece of drift-wood, that served for a platter.
Surely no stranger band ever gathered about a camp fire on that lonely Atlantic coast. Had any one seen us eating together he would have said that we were ship-wrecked, but, for all that, merry adventurers, so well did the outward semblance conceal the bitter passions within. For there was in our hearts love, hate, fear, distrust, anger and envy, yet none of us betrayed by so much as a word while we were eating that there was aught but friendliness among us. Thus had so little a thing as hunger made us forget strong passions for a time.
The fire crackled, the waves beat upon the sands with thunderous noise, and we four sat there. How many and how varied were the thoughts in each of our minds.
For myself I rejoiced that I had found Lucille again, and found her with my love in her heart. Of the duel to take place on the morrow I gave little heed. For I had confidence in my sword and arm, though, as it afterward proved, I needed all my skill. Then I went back over my wanderings and my adventures since I had first ridden to Salem.
Of the others’ thoughts I could but guess. I fancied Sir George was very bitter of heart, and that he had great hate for me, though as to the rightful cause for it I differed from him. Lucille, rather than the death of his brother, was his reason now for wishing to kill me.
When I recall all that happened to us both, knowing of the great passion which swayed him, as a blast does a sturdy tree, I can, in some measure, put myself in his place and know that he was sorely tempted. For he, too, loved Lucille.
And of the thoughts of Lucille. She must have much hidden away in her heart, but what cared I so long as she loved me. I looked at her while the fire light played its shadows over her features. How thin and worn she had become since I saw her last. What must she have gone through. I was in impatience to hear from her all that had to do with her voyage on the Eagle.
As for Simon he seemed to be eating more than he was thinking.
So we sat thus silent, while the moon came peeping up from beneath the sea, silvering the dancing waves. Lucille drew my coat closer about her, for it was chilly, and she sighed, mayhap at what had gone before, perchance at what was yet to come; for who knows a woman’s thoughts?
It was growing late when I rose from my position by the fire. Sir George and Simon followed my example, and I helped Lucille to her feet. She was so weak that I put my arm about her waist to support her. Sir George turned away as if to view the moon, and I knew it was because it burned his heart to see me with her. But I was glad that it was so, for he had caused me much suffering, and this was some balm for it.