"I care not to proclaim my adventure with the outlaws. It would make
me a merry jest in the hall."

"I understand--and yet, wounded and without bonnet or doublet, you will
not pass unnoted; an explanation will be obligatory."

"The wound is easy," he said; "my own dagger made it, you remember--but
the doublet and bonnet, particularly the doublet, are bothersome."

She looked at him with quick decision.

"I will manage that," she said; "your squire shall bring both to you
here."

De Lacy's face lighted with sudden pleasure, and he put out his hand
toward hers--then drew it sharply back and bowed.

"Still bowing?" she said naively.

"I have no words to speak my gratitude," he said.

"And I no ears that wish to hear them, if you had," she laughed. "This
morning you have had much trouble--I much pleasure--the scales are
balanced--the accounts canceled. We will forget it all. Never will I
mention it to you--nor you to me--nor either to another. When we meet
again it will be as though to-day had never been. . . Nay, sir, it
must be so. You have been unfortunate, I unconventional--it is best
for both we start afresh."