Only in her terror lest she seem to ask for love, she devoted herself more and more to Sir Ralph, whose love was assured, chatting with him of days gone by, laughing over the remembrance of childish mischiefs. And for a time Captain Protheroe submitted to be set aside, striding on ahead in gloomy silence, thinking on the journey of the previous night, and cursing the Fates for sending them this interloper to part their company. But after a while his heart accused him of cowardice, thus to stand aside and leave to a mere foolish boy, so he deemed their guest, the winning of a treasure that he yearned to make his own. Truly he had not over-many pleasant recollections to recall to her mind, yet one he had sweet to him, since the knowledge of it lay between their two hearts alone. So suddenly, as they walked, he fell back a pace or two, and in a pause turned to her with the question: "Where learned you the art of fence, Mistress Barbara?" She started and blushed. Then answered with a spice of mischief: "My master is beside me. Ralph initiated me in the art, and hath even greater skill than I, but we cannot all be experts," with a saucy glance. "Of late years I have practised mostly with Rupert." He saw the mischief in her face, but forgave it freely. "Methought I recognised a trick or two of Jules Berin when we crossed blades. Has your brother studied with him?" "No, but of his pupil. What know you of Jules Berin?" she asked quickly, a note of suspicion in her voice. He laughed, and answered unheeding: "Faith, I have been often to Paris, and we always have a bout together. For a soldier picks up many tricks in his wanderings, and, indeed, I have studied the art both in France, Italy, and the Low Countries. ’Tis one of the finest pleasures in the world"—he continued with enthusiasm—"to be pitted against a skilled adversary, straining every effort of wrist, eye and nerve." There was a moment’s silence. Then Barbara demanded quietly: "Then where learned you the trick of disarming yourself, sir?" He started. "Madame?" "Was it a trick or no? I had not deemed it so before, yet now I fear—— Confess, sir." He laughed softly. "Alas, madame, you have entrapped me. I must confess to the trick. I learned it then, madame, when I learned many other matters ’twould scarce interest you to hear of." Barbara sighed and smiled. "See how we poor women may be deceived by our own vanity. For ever since our meeting I have deemed myself a most excellent swordswoman, and gloried in my skill." "But so indeed you are," he protested eagerly. "And when we have the opportunity, I will teach you passes that perchance none save I and half a dozen others understand."