"I do not think so, general," replied the orderly. "Yet the face seems familiar to me."
It was an anxious moment, for Desborough's brow grew darker, but Juliana interposed.
"You cannot have seen my husband before, general," she cried; "unless you have been to Salisbury, for he has never been further from the city than Amesbury, whither we are going now."
"Is the young man thy husband?" demanded Desborough, in a tone that implied some doubt. "Attempt not to deceive me."
"We have been married a twelvemonth," she replied. "And not for a single hour have we been separated since we became man and wife."
"That's much to say," remarked Desborough.
"But there are plenty of persons who can testify to the truth of the statement. My brother Amyas will tell you that Orlando Jermyn—that's my husband's name—and his wife are accounted the happiest couple in Sarum."
"Since you are so well satisfied I will not say you might have made a better choice," observed Desborough. "But I think your husband may esteem himself lucky."
"He tells me so repeatedly," she replied; "and I am bound to believe him. Have you any more questions to ask me?"
Desborough looked again searchingly at Charles, but perceiving no change in his demeanour, and noticing, moreover, that the others seemed quite unconcerned, he signed to them to go on. The orderly sheathed his sword.