"Nothing," she replied absently. "Nothing!" "No. That is, say just what you would have said if you had carried out the purpose with which you started out." Her words pierced me like a dagger-thrust, but I said nothing. A few minutes later we came up to the hall door. Was Mr. Trevisa at home? "Yes," the servant replied; "old Mr. Trevisa is, but not young Mr. Peter." At this I was glad, but on looking at the maid Nancy's face I saw that she seemed perfectly indifferent. All the same she held tightly by her serving-maid's arm. Old Peter seemed overjoyed at our appearance. "What, Roger, lad!" he cried; "welcome, welcome! I see you've brought a guest for us too. Ah, she is doubly, trebly welcome. You've come for a long stay, I trust, Mistress Molesworth. Ah, but you must be tired; I will order refreshments. Here, Pollizock, you knave, take refreshments into the dining-hall without delay. I am sorry my Peter is away, but he will be back to-morrow. I have many things I want to speak to you about, Mistress Molesworth. You will not desire much company to-night, and doubtless both Roger and my friend Hendy will want to be jogging as soon as they've had a bite. Mary Tolgarrick will have many knick-knacks, such as ladies need, won't you, eh, Mary?" "Thank you," replied the maid, her face still set and stern, "but I bought all that I need in Truro to-day; my maid Amelia will bring them to me." "It is well," sniggered old Peter. "Be at home, my lady. Ah, I wish my Peter were here! He is always witty and gay. But he is away in your interest, Mistress Molesworth; he will have many things to tell you--many things he hath discovered. But my son Peter is wise, very wise." The ladies went out of the room, leaving Lawyer Hendy and myself with old Peter. "Ah, Roger lad," cried the old man, "you are a man. Smart and clever. You have saved Trevanion for yourself. When my Peter comes back we will settle the matter legally. Did you have much trouble, my lad? Ah, you must have played a deep game with the Killigrews." I did not reply. I could not. I was too much ashamed. To think that I had planned to bring a well-born maid into such company, to remember that forever the woman I loved must think of me as doing this, was to fill my cup of degradation and misery. And yet she had come here of her own free will--aye, she had insisted on coming after I had told her all. This I could not understand. "Have the Killigrews any idea where you have taken their ward, Roger Trevanion?" asked old Peter presently. "No." "No? That is well. Tell me about it, lad?" "I cannot to-night; I am not in the humour." "Still surly, Roger? Ha, I know you hate to have aught to do with women. But you will be paid. You have brought her here as you said, and you shall be well paid, well paid."