Once when I mentioned Bobby's name, I had seen a blush upon her cheek, and I thought her blue eye grew softer; the demon of jealously arose in my breast, and I mentioned his name no more. Turning to her, I said:
"Lady Margaret, wouldst thou grant me one favor?"
"Yes," she replied, and she turned her head away from me. "What is it, Sir Thomas?"
"Wilt thou, when thou raisest thy voice in prayer to God offer up one supplication for a wicked, sinful man, that he may triumph over the tempter, who daily and hourly besets him?"
"Yes," she answered gently, and a tear dropped from her blue eyes. "I will pray for thee, Sir Thomas, that thou mayest fight a brave fight, and win a noble victory over thyself."
And now we had left the canoe, and under the guidance of Manteo plunged again into the forest afoot. To my remonstrances that the lady could not endure the journey, he had turned a deaf ear.
"Better that, than to fall into the hands of the Tuscaroras," he said stolidly. "Here in the woods Manteo can guard better against them than on the water," and so afoot we had gone.
Margaret had made light of my gloomy forebodings.
"Out upon thee, sir!" cried she archly. "One would think that I was some pretty toy, from which the rain would wash the paint, that I cannot keep the trail with thee in the forest."
"Fair lady, perhaps thou wilt remember my warning when thou art footsore from the march," I answered. "But if thou art determined, come!" And I led the way after the Indian, with her at my side.