"Are you come as Governor Brent's messenger?"
Elinor shivered as though his tone had more chill in it than the January air, but her own was equally haughty as she answered,—
"I come by permission of my kinsman, who never deserts a friend."
"No, faith! since when the friend needs help he ceases to be one."
"Your words are brutal."
"Perchance. I have not been trained by your Fathers to mean one thing and say another."
Elinor felt for her hood as though she would have drawn it over her head again and left without another word; then changing her mind, she advanced nearer.
"This is not a kind greeting," she said, "for one who comes to help you."
"If I were not past help I might have spoke more kindly."