When he rose his face was quite steady, though he made no pretence to the cheerfulness he had kept up that morning. Walking briskly back to the house, he made his way to their chamber, where he found Strangwayes pacing up and down. Hugh went to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s not try to pretend about it any more, Dick,” he said simply. “Bellasis has handled a rapier for years where I’ve used it but weeks. There is no hope for me. Frankly, is there? On your honor, Dick.” “There is this hope,” Strangwayes answered, after an instant. “It may be he will content himself with disabling you, and then—he will force you to crave his pardon.” “The other way suits me better,” Hugh said quietly. “You can only do your best,” Strangwayes replied. “He may be careless. Be ready to use every opportunity.” “I will,” Hugh nodded, and then, sitting down by the fire, he beckoned his friend to sit beside him. “I take it, time’s short,” he began, “so I want to tell you, Dick, you’re to take Bayard and keep him, and be very kind to him, only I know you’ll be that.” Strangwayes reached out his arm; the two griped hands, and sat so. “Give my sword to Frank,” Hugh went on, “and give Ned Griffith back his red sash. Ridydale can have my spurs. Then there’s six shillings I’ve here; I want a trooper named Robert Saxon in Gwyeth’s company to have them; he’ll be sorry and drunk at once. Give my duty to Captain Turner and Sir William, and commend me to George Allestree.” He paused a moment, then resumed: “There’s a girl at Everscombe Manor, Lois Campion; we were playfellows then. She has not writ me since, but I’d like her to know that I held her in remembrance. I’d fain send my duty to my Grandfather Oldesworth, too, but I doubt if he’d accept of it.” “I’ll do all as you bid,” Strangwayes answered. “God! if I could but fight that coward for you.” After that outburst they sat side by side without speaking, while the quick moments slipped by, till at last Strangwayes rose unwillingly to his feet. “We must start now,” he said, so Hugh put on his cloak, and arm in arm they went out from the house. At the door Ridydale saluted them, then fell into step behind them, and in such order they splashed down the bowling green. Through a gap in the hedge they entered a field where some patches of snow still lingered in the hollows. Beyond they passed through a copse of naked trees, and so across a dry ditch entered a level piece of open ground. At the farther end two men stood waiting. “Faith, I had judged you meant to shirk your hour,” cried the taller of the two in a sharp, high voice. “Close of twilight is a rather loose appointment, Master Bellasis,” Strangwayes answered curtly. “And you fetched a third man, did you? Two to one—” “Maybe you would wish the city guard to come upon you with blades in your hands?” Strangwayes interrupted. “I have brought a sure man to watch the road. But if you object—”