‘I do not wish you to speak. I insist on your going.’ He came to her, took her hand from the door, and led her down the stairs. As they came out into the gateway they heard the tramp of many feet, and a rush of young cattle debouched from the lane upon the open space before the gate. Barbara was not one to cry, but she shivered and shrank before her eyes told her what a mistake she had made. ‘Here,’ she said, ‘I give you my purse. Go!’ ‘No,’ answered Jasper. ‘There is no occasion for me to go. I have acted wrongly, but I did it for the best. You see, there is no occasion for fear. These ponies have been frightened by the flames, and have come through the moor-gate, which has been left open. I must see that they do not enter the court and do mischief.’ ‘Never mind about the cattle, I pray you. Go! Take this money; it is mine. I freely give it you. Go!’ ‘Why are you so anxious about me if you hate me?’ asked Jasper. ‘Surely it would gratify hate to see me handcuffed and carried off!’ ‘No, I do not hate you—that is, not so much as to desire that. I have but one desire concerning you—that we should never see your face again.’ ‘Miss Jordan, I shall not be taken.’ She flared up with rage, disappointment, shame. ‘How dare you!’ she cried. ‘How dare you stand here and set me at naught, when I have done so much for you—when I have even ventured to rouse you in the depth of night! My God! you are enough to madden me. I will not have the shame come on this house of having you taken here. Yes—I recall my words—I do hate you.’ She wrung her hands; Jasper caught them and held them between his own. ‘Miss Barbara, I have deceived you. Be calm.’ ‘I know only too well that you have deceived me—all of us,’ she said passionately. ‘Let go my hands.’ ‘You misunderstand me. I shall not be taken, for I am not pursued. I never took your sister’s money. I have never been in jail.’ She plucked her hands away. ‘I do not comprehend.’ ‘Nevertheless, what I say is simple. You have supposed me to be a thief and an escaped convict. I am neither.’ Barbara shook her head impatiently. ‘I have allowed you to think it for reasons of my own. But now you must be undeceived.’ The young cattle were galloping about in front, kicking, snorting, trying the hedges. Jasper left Barbara for a while that he might drive them into a field where they could do no harm. She remained under the great gate in the shadow, bewildered, hoping that what he now said was true, yet not daring to believe his words. Presently he returned to her. He had purposely left her that she might have time to compose herself. When he returned she was calm and stern.