The conviction grew upon him, andmade him urge his
tired beast to a better pace. Alastair returned his sword to its
sheath.
Will youthat I help in the healing of them? His
hands were at his eyes and he wasshaken with a passion of sobbing.
Sir John stared at Midwinter and saw something in
that face whichmade him avert his gaze.
I have betrayed my Prince and undone my
people.
Let us be alone tillMaster Midwinter comes. He
walked to the window andcast a glance inside.
Well, let it be exercisedupon your estates and not
upon the fortunes of better men. I thought the Prince and his adventure was but
aScotch craziness.
He dropped hishead on his breast and cried like a
heartbroken child.
He heard a gasp which was more than Mr Johnsons
chronic shortnessof breath.
And then he laughed, forwhatever his enemys
purposes, success was not likely to followthem. His shoulders filled the doorway,and
his eyes constrained all three to a tense silence.
Sheimplored his pity on all she loved, on the
casket where she had hidher heart. I am naked enough, but I had little to lose. She
is a lady of fortune, but youdid not marry her for her fortune.
Alastair, taken by surprise, was all butswung off
his feet by the fury of the assault.
Johnsons great figure seemed broken with weariness.
Once againhe had one of his sudden premonitions.
Mechanically the threeturned into the
street.
You have behaved as a good Christian should.
Alastair turned and saw a troubled fatcountenance framed in the sash of a pantry
casement.
I will face an angry man, or mob, orbeast with
equanimity, even with joy.
Cherish herdearly and let that be your atonement.
At the first cross-roads Midwinter joined them.
The conviction grew upon him, andmade him urge his
tired beast to a better pace.
Tis the high road from Ashbourne to Derby,said
Midwinter.
Alastair looked up and gently shook his head. No,
he said, I am resolvedbefore all things to find Sir John Norreys.
But there was that about the village which made
each pull on hisbridle rein. Mr Johnsons teeth began to chatter soviolently that
Alastair swung round and regarded him.
Hissword would not cut the bonds of youth and
innocence, it wouldpierce their heart. Alastair swung his horses head back to the
road.
Then he pushedopen the door and descended a step
into the inn kitchen. He is now south ofDerby on the road to London, and his enemies
do not abide him. The man stood aside to let Johnson stumble in. Would he not
disappear overseas, taking with him hiswife under some false story?