am much disposed to believe--" but what she was disposed to believe at
that time was not said, then or ever afterward, for at that moment there
happened matters which ended their little talk; matters which divided
their two lives, and which, in the end, drove them as far apart as two
continents could carry them.

"O Gemini!" called out Mary Connynge, as the coachman for a moment
slackened his pace. "Look! We shall be robbed!"

The driver irresolutely pulled up his horses. From under the shade of
the hedge there arose two men, of whom the taller now stood erect and
came toward the carriage.

"'Tis no robber," said Lady Catharine Knollys, her eyes fastened on the
tall figure which came forward.

"Save us," said Mary Connynge, "what a pretty man!"




CHAPTER III

JOHN LAW OF LAURISTON


Unconsciously the coachman obeyed the unvoiced command of this man, who
stepped out from the shelter of the hedge. Travel-stained, just awakened
from sleep, disheveled, with dress disordered, there was none the less
abundant boldness in his mien as he came forward, yet withal the grace