At the sound of Evander's step Brilliana turned and rose to greet him. "My dear!" she cried, her eyes luminous, her breast heaving. "My riding-time has come," he said, sadly. He stood apart, but she came near to him and put her hands on his shoulders. "You found me in tears, but you must think of me as smiling--smiling for joy in my lover, smiling at the thought of his return." He caught her in his arms, clasped her close to him, and kissed her lips. It seemed to him as if that moment consecrated him forever. She was simply glad that the man she loved had kissed her. "These are evil days," he said. "Who knows when we shall meet again." "At least we have met," she answered. "I shall thank God for that, morning and night. Nothing can change that, if we do not meet for months, for years, if we never meet again." "These wars must end soon," Evander said, confidently. Brilliana caught at his hands. "You will never hurt the King," she cried. "Promise me that. You will never hurt the King." "I will never hurt the King," Evander promised. "And now, dear love--" He could not say farewell. There was a moment's silence as they stood facing each other, holding hands, the woman trying to smile. The silence was suddenly, brutally broken by the loud, clear report of a shot. Brilliana stiffened with the start. "What was that?" "It seemed a pistol-shot in the garden," Evander answered. "Who should fire now?" "I will go see," Evander said, turning towards the open space. Brilliana restrained him. "Oh no, dear love, my heart misgives; there may be danger." Evander gently released himself. "And when are you or I afraid of danger?" Brilliana accepted this. "Then I go with you." Instantly Evander paused. "No, no," he said. Brilliana repeated his words. "Why, when are you or I afraid of danger?" There was a noise of running feet in the garden, and then Thoroughgood sped across the moat and into the room. "Captain Halfman has been shot," he gasped. "Oh, by whom?" Brilliana wailed, her eyes wide with horror. "Is he killed?" Evander asked. Thoroughgood answered both in a breath. "Badly wounded. They bring him here." As he spoke, Garlinge and Clupp entered from the garden, bearing Halfman between them, wrapped in Evander's mantle. The man of gallant carriage, of swaggering alacrity, seemed to lie horribly limp in the men's arms. Evander hurriedly made a couch of chairs and bade them lay their burden on it, that he might examine the wound. Brilliana bent over him. "Oh, my dear friend," she sobbed. The sound of her voice seemed to awaken Halfman. He opened his eyes. "Lift me up," he said, feebly, to his supporters. He looked at Brilliana. "Lady, you have been deceived. Sir Randolph escaped from his enemies. A snare was set for Captain Cloud--" he paused. "By whom?" cried Brilliana, the woman eager for her lover. Something like a smile came to Halfman's face.