"I warrant me the fiery-headed youth passed one or two anxious days while the inquiry was pending," remarked Captain Protheroe, smiling. "Nay, neither he nor Prue are wont to expect trouble before it comes; they were so triumphant over their success they thought but little of possible consequences. And I doubt not Robert found ample reward at his mistress’s hands." "’Tis pity so brave and adroit a lad is not a soldier," said Barbara. "Aye, so says Prue. And indeed ’tis his own desire." "Would we could help him to his wish." "He shall be helped," answered the captain quickly; "an you take interest in his fate, Mistress Barbara. When I get the command I expect, in Holland, I will send for him, and see to his advancement with all my heart." Barbara repaid, with a grateful glance, this ready offer to fulfil her wish, and so the matter was decided. They sat long over their meal, talking over what had befallen them in their wanderings, discussing plans for their future, wondering on the life that awaited them abroad. At length, when the evening was far advanced, Barbara pushed back her chair and cried to her cousin that ’twas time for rest. But ere she rose she filled her glass and looked up with a merry smile. "Come!" she cried, "here we sit together safe after all our troubles, and it seems ’tis occasion for a toast, and yet I know not exactly what it should be." "May I not give the toast, madame?" asked the captain gravely. "Certes, an you will. I feel I must drink to something." "Nay, you must not join in this," he answered with a smile. Then springing to his feet and raising his glass, he turned and faced her boldly: "What think you of this toast, Sir Ralph?" he cried: "I drink to the bravest comrade in misfortune, the sweetest companion in peace, and at all times the most courageous of women——" "Barbara Winslow!" Ralph sprang to his feet, and for a moment the two men stood together, their glasses raised aloft, looking down with adoration where she sat blushing and laughing in all the pride of her beauty. Then crying her name again, they drank the toast, and with a simultaneous impulse turned and dashed their glasses against the wainscot, so that the shining fragments fell like showers upon the floor. The moment of enthusiasm passed, the two men turned sharply and glared at one another, with a silent challenge in their eyes. Cicely saw the look and trembled, and deeming it wisdom at once to remove this apple of discord from the feast, she rose quickly, and smiling good-night to her companions, carried her cousin off to bed. When they were left together the two men seated themselves at the table, but there was a silence between them, and a shadow brooded over the room. At length Ralph pushed aside his glass, and leant across the table towards his companion with the air of one who has determined on his course. "Whither are you bound now, Protheroe?" he began. "What are your plans?" Captain Protheroe hesitated a moment.