"Marry! sir, then search," cried Barbara, with a sudden suspiciously hysterical laugh. "Perchance he lurks behind this curtain, or cowers beneath the table. Think you he is concealed in yonder snuff-box, or is hid beneath my petticoats? Prithee, search well, for there is no telling where the rogue may lie," and assuming a mock air of importance closely resembling that of the corporal, she commenced a solemn burlesque of the search, hurrying about the room, and carefully examining the most impossible hiding-places, while the captain bit his lip to prevent a smile, and the troopers watched her mimicry of their efforts with embarrassed indignation. When she had concluded her tour of the room, Barbara turned to the astonished soldiers and remarked with mock solemnity: "You see, I am correct, he cannot be here." "We are deeply indebted to you for this entertainment, madame," interrupted the captain with grave politeness. "Now we will commence the search in earnest." The laughter died from Barbara’s face, and a strange hunted look crept into her eyes. She glanced round helplessly, as though seeking means of escape, then casting a pleading glance at the captain, she said in a trembling voice: "If you still persist in your error, you must e’en do as you list," and with a low sigh she turned away and sank wearily into a chair. Captain Protheroe gave the necessary orders and the corporal and troopers departed on their errand. Then he turned doubtfully towards the girl. "I am very sorry for this intrusion, Mistress Barbara," he said gently. "My corporal, who is but a blundering fellow, made these dispositions while I was away, otherwise, be assured, I should have taken the fellow before he entered your house." "Yes, that would have been far easier for you," she answered calmly. "For you, madame," he corrected her, smiling. "May I hope I am forgiven for thus doing my duty?" Barbara directed upon him a beaming smile. "Why, as to that, sir, ’tis I who must crave forgiveness for my inhospitality. I’ faith, seeing he is not here, I know not why I should be so angry at your visit, I should rather pity such a wild-goose chase. Is it not so?" "_If_ he were not here, Mistress Barbara, we should deserve no pity, our intrusion would be quite unpardonable." "But I have told you that he is not here," she answered eagerly. "True. And I have told you that he is." Her lips trembled at his resolute tone, and she turned away her head. But in a moment she answered brightly: "’Tis clear, sir, this is a most unprofitable subject for discussion, seeing we shall never agree. Time must show who is in the right. In the meantime we will conclude the matter thus: If he be here, the worse for him; if he be not here—why, the worse for you. What say you now?" "Madame, your argument is unanswerable."