Even as she spoke Tiffany returned, ushering in Master Hungerford, followed by two men in Brilliana's livery, bearing with pains a chest which they set down with a deep breath of relief. Tiffany, who was now in the secret, pretended to be busy at a sideboard so as to stay in the room. Master Paul rubbed his lean fingers together and scraped to the company. "You have been swift, Master Hungerford," Brilliana said, approvingly. Master Hungerford smiled furtively. "Who would not use despatch in the King's cause and yours. 'Tis as I said: the pestilent Roundhead had a chest full of broad-pieces stuffed under his bed. And here it now is at your feet." And he pointed victoriously at the spoils of war. Brilliana applauded as if she had been at the play. "You have done well," she said, with the tears in her eyes for laughter. Halfman kept a grave face and Evander wondered. "Call me your knight," Master Paul pleaded, with a languishing look. "You have done well, my knight," Brilliana repeated; then, turning to Tiffany, she bade her see that the chest was set in a place of safety. The two men took up their burden again and followed Tiffany out of the room. But in a jiffy the maid was back again and whispering in her mistress's ear. Brilliana turned her amused gaze upon Master Paul. "Master Hungerford," she entreated, "will you be so good as to wait awhile in the next chamber. I have some immediate business to deal with, but I would be loath to part company with you so soon if you have the leisure to wait." Master Hungerford, protesting his readiness to attend upon her pleasure, was promptly ushered by Halfman into an adjoining room, where he left him, and having closely shut the door, came back shaking with suppressed laughter to Brilliana. Evander, looking from the mirthful man to the mirthful maid, felt constrained to question. "Why are you so merry?" "You will know ere the sun is much older," Brilliana answered, composing her countenance, "for here comes the other." As she spoke Tiffany returned, ushering in Master Peter Rainham and a fresh brace of Brilliana's servants, staggering, like their predecessors, under the weight of a great chest. The certainty that some astonishing jest was towards set Evander on the alert as he scrutinized the forbidding form and features of the new-comer. "Welcome, thrice welcome, Master Peter Rainham," cried Brilliana. "You have made good speed." Master Peter proffered her an uncouth salutation and pointed to the chest on the floor significantly. "Lady," he said, "I have done the King a good turn. There are gold plates there, gold dishes, gold ewers, that will change in the melting-pot to many a troop of horse for the King's cause." "I thank you with all my heart," Brilliana said, quietly. Master Peter leered cunningly at her, and earned the cordial dislike of Evander. "Do you give me your heart with your thanks?" he asked, with what he believed to be gallantry.