"Fooled! Fooled!" she cried, pointing at them mockingly. "Was ever man, since the days of Adam, so bravely fooled. Oh! I shall die of laughter," and again the room rang with her merriment. Captain Protheroe turned to her grimly. "Pardon my dulness, madame," he said harshly, "and be so kind as to explain what this means." "Means! Why, marry, it means that I have spoken truly. Rupert is not here, moreover, he never has been. Have I not said so throughout." "Not here? Impossible! Then these tremblings, entreaties, tears were all——" "All a comedy, sir, which I trust you enjoyed as greatly as did I. Oh! tell me, sir, should I not make a brave player?" She danced a few steps towards him and dropped a mocking curtsey. "I await your applause, signors," she cried with a saucy laugh. Captain Protheroe strode the length of the room and swore to himself heartily, but Corporal Crutch was not so easily convinced. "’Tis false, sir," he cried. "She is fooling us again. Why I saw the fellow enter, myself." "That you did not, corporal, an I may make so bold as to contradict you," laughed Barbara. "Though I wouldn’t deny," she added solemnly, "the possibility of your having seen someone enter." "Aye, someone hailed by the name of ’Rupert,’" sneered the corporal. "What’s in a name?" quoted Barbara, laughing. "Whom did he see, then?" demanded Captain Protheroe sharply. "How should I know?" she retorted cheerfully. "’Twas not I who saw him. Ask the corporal." "An ’twere not Sir Rupert, ’twas the devil himself in his likeness. I saw him as plain as I see you. He is the very counterpart of yon wench, his sister." "That is true enough," answered Barbara calmly. "We be so alike that times have been known when we were mistaken for each other. And yet I will swear ’twas not Rupert whom you saw." "Will you have the goodness to explain the matter, madame?" interrupted the Captain impatiently.