"_Peut-etre_," said she in her French jargon, vanishing into her chamber. I was a better scholar than I once was, and could translate the words in a way that made my heart beat. So I left her and came down to supper. There I found Peter Stoupe, very black in the face, awaiting me. He tried to look civil as I came to the table, but 'twas plain he had little stomach for his meal. "My master telleth me," said he, "he is content to give thee another trial, Humphrey. Pray heaven he may never hear how much it is he forgiveth thee. As for me, this folly of his is like to cost him my service, as I told him." "When are you going?" I asked. "That concerns myself," said Peter. "But since we be alone, Humphrey Dexter, let me say to you one thing. Whether I go or stay, know that I desire you hold no converse with my mistress' daughter, and that for a very sufficient reason. She is promised to me." I laughed at this. "Since when?" I asked. "That too concerneth me," said Peter, who liked not my mirth. "I shall wed her anon; and till then I would have her kept clear of your company." "Pass the mug, Peter Stoupe, and cease your funning. The day sweet Jeannette weds with you, I will saddle the horse shall carry you to church. Till then, if I catch so much as her name on your foul lips, I will drop you, feet uppermost, in the mud of Fleet Ditch. So make a bargain of it." He turned green at that, for he guessed I meant what I said. "What?" began he; "you who ruined my master, and robbed--" Here I sprang to my feet, and he stopped short. "Robbed whom?" demanded I. "Enough," said he, motioning me to sit down. "I resolved, when you came, to hold no parley with you, and I repent me I have done so. Henceforth, Humphrey Dexter, we are strangers." "Be what you will," said I, "only keep a civil tongue in your head." And I went up to bed. Now this was yet another trial to Peter, who had been used to lie alone while I was absent, and now loathed that I should rob him thus of half his kicking room. But he durst say naught. Only he lay at the far edge, and, instead of saying his prayers, cursed me between his teeth. It was in my heart to pity Peter Stoupe that night. For it was plain I had come in an evil hour for him. Master Walgrave had been hoodwinked by his smooth manners and lying tongue, and was fain to believe he owed him more for the duty he had done while his master was in gaol than in truth he did. Nor durst my mistress thwart him over much for the same cause. As for Jeannette--if she humoured him and endured his civilities, 'twas because she was ever kind. So all was going well with Peter when I chanced home, who knew him for his worth and promised to spoil his sport. Little wonder, then, if he hated to see me, and kept at the far edge of the bed.