“My great wish is to follow in my father’s steps, but just now I am to act as the bearer of important despatches. Enough, however, of my affairs. Do tell me of yourself. If only you guessed how I had hungered for news of you!” “’Twere far better that you forgot me,” she said, beginning to play with the little housewife that hung from her girdle. “I can never forget,” he said, vehemently. “Surely you understand that my love for you is unchanged.” Suddenly there darted into her mind the remembrance of Norton’s words about the pretty daughter of the Gloucestershire squire. When spoken they had seemed to turn her love to hatred, yet in the sudden rapture of Gabriel’s return she had absolutely forgotten all about them. He could not understand the change that now came over her whole manner and bearing. “Don’t speak of your love,” she said, indignantly. “All that is at an end--at best we can now be only friendly foes. More is impossible.” “Why impossible?” he pleaded. Then terror seizing him, he exclaimed, “Do you mean that someone else loves you?” “Why do you ask?” she said, with some embarrassment. “Oh! have pity on me, Hilary,” he cried. “At least tell me one way or the other. Is there some other lover?” “Yes,” she owned. “There is one that loves me, and a right loyal gentleman he is--the Governor of Canon Frome.” He turned pale. The silence and the suffering in his face angered Hilary. “What right have you to be concerned?” she said, indignantly. “You have not really been constant to me; I well know that you have been making love to the heiress of a Gloucestershire squire.” “Who told you so base a lie?” said Gabriel, starting to his feet. “One whose word I trust,” she replied, quietly, “the loyal Governor of Canon Frome.” “His name?” asked Gabriel, eagerly. “His name is Colonel Norton,” she said, triumphantly. “_Norton!_” he cried, in horror. “He is the man you trust? The man who has dared to speak of love to you?” “Yes; why not? Is he not a brave soldier and active in the King’s service?” “Brave, no doubt. He is an Englishman. But surely you have heard that even his own party are aghast at his doings?” “I have heard naught against him,” said Hilary, indignantly. “You are jealous, and if there is one thing on earth I despise ’tis jealousy.” “The fellow is not worthy to touch the hem-of your garment,” said Gabriel, sternly. “Listen to me. You shall hear the plain truth. ’Tis well known that he is a Cavalier of the type of my Lord Goring. I would sooner see you dead than in his power.” “It would be unfair of me to heed your attack on the absent,” said Hilary, coldly. “You are jealous, and ready to believe evil of Colonel Norton.” “You torture me!” cried Gabriel, desperately. “Oh, you pretend that you are unchanged,” said Hilary, with scorn. “But there is no smoke without fire, and the Gloucestershire heiress----”