My lord's face was dark red, his black eyes afire, his moustaches working up and down. His white teeth had closed with a click on the loud oath which had interrupted the Governor's speech. Honest Sir George and his circle stared at this unaccountable guest in amazement not unmixed with dismay. As for myself, I knew before he spoke what had caused the oath and the fierce triumph in that handsome face. Master Jeremy Sparrow had moved a little to one side, thus exposing to view that which his great body had before screened from observation--namely, Mistress Jocelyn Percy. In a moment the favourite was before her, hat in hand, bowing to the ground. "My quest hath ended where I feared it but begun!" he cried, flushed and exultant. "I have found my Manoa sooner than I thought for. Have you no welcome for me, lady?" She withdrew her arm from mine, and curtsied to him profoundly; then stood erect, indignant and defiant, her eyes angry stars, her cheeks carnation, scorn on her smiling lips. "I cannot welcome you as you should be welcomed, my lord," she said in a clear voice. "I have but my bare hands. Manoa, my lord, lies far to the southward. This land is quite out of your course, and you will find here but your travail for your pains. My lord, permit me to present to you my husband, Captain Ralph Percy. I think that you know his cousin, my Lord of Northumberland." The red left the favourite's cheeks, and he moved as though a blow had been dealt him by some invisible hand. Recovering himself, he bowed to me, and I to him, which done we looked each other in the eyes long enough for each to see the thrown gauntlet. "I raise it," I said. "And I raise it," he answered. "_A l'outrance_, I think, sir?" I continued. "_A l'outrance_," he assented. "And between us two alone," I suggested. His answering smile was not good to see, nor was the tone in which he spoke to the Governor good to hear. "It is now some weeks, sir," he said, "since there disappeared from court a jewel, a diamond of most inestimable worth. It in some sort belonged to the King, and his Majesty, in the goodness of his heart, had promised it to a certain one--nay, had sworn by his kingdom that it should be his. Well, sir, that man put forth his hand to claim his own--when lo! the jewel vanished! Where it went no man could tell. There was, as you may believe, a mighty running up and down, and looking into dark corners, all for naught--it was clean gone. But the man to whom that bright gem had been promised was not one easily hoodwinked or baffled. He swore to trace it, follow it, find it, and wear it."