"Faith, I gave him cause."
"The more fool he to let you see that your teasing had met with such success. However, I care little how he feels, so long as you are heart-whole; but in the name of all the gallants of Maryland I do protest against seeing Mistress Margaret Neville, on all hands allowed to be the most charming damsel in St. Mary's, carried off by an interloping Virginian. Troth, if the boys don't oust him I'll enter the lists myself."
"Truly?"
"Try me and see!"
Peggy burst out into a merry ringing laugh, suddenly interrupted by the sight of Romney Huntoon coming toward them with white, drawn face and set teeth.
The talk and laughter died on the lips of the two who saw him.
"Oh, what is it?" said Peggy, running to meet him. "Sure, something dreadful hath befallen! Governor Brent—is he killed?"
"No, he is well—he sent me hither; but—there has been an accident—"
"Are you hurt, that you look so white?"
"No, no; no one you know is injured—but a stranger, a priest, has been struck with a knife and killed."