But no sound came from my lady’s parted lips, only, recoiling from me in the extremity of her surprise, still with her eyes on mine, she raised one hand as if to repel me, whilst with the other she pushed the loosened hair from off her brow. Then, drawing a deep breath, I caught her outstretched hand in mine, and, shielded by her figure from the gaze of the lieutenant, I laid my finger on my lips, at the same time saying in a low voice so that none but she could hear: “Madam, madam, do not look so at me! It is I, indeed! If you would save your brother’s life help me to detain these men.” And dropping her hand, I stepped backwards, for I dared no longer trust myself to maintain my composure. Even as it was I felt my voice quiver.
To recover myself, I turned swiftly to Mistress Grace, and taking her hands in mine, I stooped as if to kiss her cheek, at the same time whispering in her ear: “Madam, I have redeemed my word. He is safe and on his way to France. Time—time now is everything!”
I felt her hands tighten in my own. “And you—you have taken his place?” she whispered in reply, raising her eyes, still with the traces of tears in them, to mine.
“Hush—yes!” I answered, with a warning glance in the direction of the lieutenant. More than that I could not say, for at this moment the major returned to the room. He paused in astonishment on the threshold, and I saw that his eyes were fixed in open admiration upon my lady. I took a step or two towards him.
“Forgive me, gentlemen,” I said aloud. “I do not know whether my sisters are already known to you.”
“This lady,” the major answered, indicating Mistress Grace, and speaking to my surprise in very fair English, “I have already met. Madam, your wife—no.”
I dared not meet my lady’s eyes.
“Your pardon, sir,” I said hastily, feeling the hot blood mounting to my forehead—“my sister also!”
“So!” he said, raising his eyebrows and making what he no doubt intended for a bow in her direction. “Then it is for me to beg the pardon.”
I glanced at my lady. There was a lovely blush upon her face that a moment before had been so pale; otherwise she showed no trace of her late emotion, acknowledging his bow with a stately inclination of her head.