"No, friend, I will not," said Jack, with a look of infinite kindness and placing a slender white hand on the smith’s broad shoulder. "You are my friend, you know, you shoe and care after my horse, you shelter and comfort me. May Heaven’s legions of angels bless you for that. Of my life on the Heath I’ll never tell you aught, whatever you may guess. ’Tis better so. I’ll not have you compromised, or implicated in my adventures. In case ... well! ... if they do catch me, you know, friend, ’tis better for your sake that you should know nothing." "But you’ll not go on the Heath to-night, Captain," pleaded the smith, with a tremor in his voice. "Aye! that I will, John Stich," rejoined Bathurst, with a careless laugh, which now had an unmistakable ring of bitterness in it, "to stop a coach, to lift a purse! that’s my business.... Aye! I’ll to the Heath, friend, ’tis my only home, you know, ere I find a resting-place on the gallows yonder." John sighed and turned away, and thus did not hear the faint murmur that came of a great and good heart over-full with longing and disappointment. "My beautiful white rose! ... how pale she looked ... and how exquisitely fair! ... Ah! me ... if only.... Jack! Jack! don’t be a fool!" he added with a short, deep sigh, "’tis too late; remember, for Beau Brocade to go galloping after an illusion!" CHAPTER XIV THE FIGHT IN THE FORGE John Stich ventured no further opposition, well knowing the reckless spirit which his own quiet devotion was powerless to keep in check; moreover, Lady Patience, closely followed by the ever-faithful Betty, had just entered by the door that gave from the yard. "I was wondering, honest Stich," she said, "if my coach were yet in sight. Meseems the horses must have had sufficient rest by now." "I’ll just see, my lady," said John. At first sound of her low, musical voice, Bathurst had turned to her, and now his eyes rested with undisguised admiration on her graceful figure, dimly outlined in the fast-gathering shadows. She too caught sight of him, and sorely against her will a vivid blush mounted to her cheeks. She pulled her cloak close to her, partly to hide the bunch of white roses that nestled in her belt. Thus there was an instant’s silent pause, during which two hearts, both young, both ardent, and imbued with the spirit of romance, beat—unknown to one another—in perfect unison.