Marmaduke Haward who pleaded for him--A full stop, a low bow, and a flourish. “Will Mr. Haward honor me? ’Tis right Macouba, and the box--if the author of ‘The Puppet Show’ would deign to accept it”-- “Rather to change with you, sir,” said the other urbanely, and drew out his own chased and medallioned box. The gentleman upon the floor had now gotten unsteadily to his feet. Mr. Haward took snuff with each of the six; asked after the father of one, the brother of another; delicately intimated his pleasure in finding the noble order of Mohocks, that had lately died in London, resurrected in Virginia; and fairly bowed the flattered youths out of the store. He stood for a moment upon the threshold watching them go triumphantly, if unsteadily, up the street; then turned to the interior of the store to find MacLean seated upon a stool, with his head against the table, submitting with a smile of pure content to the ministrations of the dove-like mover of the late turmoil, who with trembling fingers was striving to bind her kerchief about a great cut in his forehead. CHAPTER X HAWARD AND EVELYN MacLean put aside with much gentleness the hands of his surgeon, and, rising to his feet, answered the question in Haward’s eyes by producing a slip of paper and gravely proffering it to the man whom he served. Haward took it, read it, and handed it back; then turned to the Quaker maiden. “Mistress Truelove Taberer,” he said courteously. “Are you staying in town? If you will tell me where you lodge, I will myself conduct you thither.” Truelove shook her head, and slipped her hand into that of her brother Ephraim. “I thank thee, friend,” she said, with gentle dignity, “and thee, too, Angus MacLean, though I grieve that thee sees not that it is not given us to meet evil with evil, nor to withstand force with force. Ephraim and I can now go in peace. I thank thee again, friend, and thee.” She gave her hand first to Haward, then to MacLean. The former, knowing the fashion of the Quakers, held the small fingers a moment, then let them drop; the latter, knowing it, too, raised them to his lips and imprinted upon them an impassioned kiss. Truelove blushed, then frowned, last of all drew her hand away. With the final glimpse of her gray skirt the Highlander came back to the present. “Singly I could have answered for them all, one after the other,” he said stiffly. “Together they had the advantage. I pay my debt and give you thanks, sir.” “That is an ugly cut across your forehead,” replied Haward. “Mr. Ker had best bring you a basin of water. Or stay! I am going to my lodging. Come with me, and Juba shall dress the wound properly.” MacLean turned his keen blue eyes upon him. “Am I to understand that you give me a command, or that you extend to me an invitation? In the latter case, I should prefer”-- “Then take it as a command,” said Haward imperturbably. “I wish your company. Mr. Ker, good-day; I will buy the piece of plate which you showed me yesterday.”