“Look here, old girl. Aren’t you a little unreasonable? We’ve decided that we can help the Indians best by making some sort of agreement with the Spaniards.” “You say _we_ have decided this. When was it decided? Why wasn’t I told?” “We haven’t really decided. It was suggested last night. After you’d gone to bed.” “Why wasn’t I told? What was suggested?” “It’s a fine idea, Livy. Cammock suggested our going to one of the towns and proposing an agreement with the Governor.” “What sort of an agreement?” “The Governor to trade with us, just as if we were Spanish. The English to abstain from hostilities, and the Indians to be accounted English subjects. And they want me to interview the Governor.” “It’s only an excuse to make money, Tom. To make money without the self-sacrifice of fighting. And what if the Spaniards refuse?” “Then we should have some just excuse for proceeding as we’d planned.” “Tom, I don’t think they’ve been straightforward with us. There’s something hidden. I’m sure of it.” “But what can be hidden, Livy? My darling charmer. Eh? Besides, look here, my beauty-spot. I’m ambitious. I want to make my Livy proud. See? If I see these Governors, and bring off some arrangement. You see? It’s a big matter, Livy. It’s knighthood. It may be a seat on the Trade and Plantations Board. It may be all sorts of things.” “Yes,” she said. “Tom, I quite see that. I’m ambitious for you, too. There, dear, I know you’ve set your heart on it. Oh, Tom, though, I hate the thought of it all. And I’m sure there’s something hidden. I’m sure there is. I wish I knew.” “Nonsense,” he said, taking her in his arms. “Where’d you like to be kissed? I’m going to kiss your nose because you’ve got it turned up in the air to-day.” “I haven’t, Tom.” “Come here,” he said, catching her as she wriggled free. “None of your wriggles. Come and be kissed. You’re not going to dress till your nose is kissed.” An hour later, they stood in the Governor’s house waiting for the Governor to receive them. They fidgeted about the large, cool, rather bare room; now staring through the window at the ships, now fingering the books, turning up the pictures to the light. Stukeley took a pistol from the wall, and examined the engraved silver of the butt. Olivia chatted with Perrin about the rambler roses trailing round the window. “We must take some slips to Darien,” said Perrin. “But I don’t much like this dark red kind.” “We have them at home,” she answered quietly. “I shall take home some slips from Darien; for everything will grow with us. I expect lots of things would transplant.” “Yes, lots,” he answered. “Olivia,” said Margaret, “have you seen this Rembrandt?” “Why,” she said. “It’s the Hundred Guilder Print. It’s like meeting an old friend.” “Yes,” said Margaret, peering. “It’s a very beautiful state, too. What’s the etching beyond you there, Edward?” “One of Hollar’s.”