would never have vexed me with foolish questions at such a time."

"But I love you, and I demand an answer," cried Sholto, fuming. "Do
you love the Earl?"

"What do you think yourself now?" she said, looking up at him with an
inimitable slyness, and pronouncing her words so as to imitate the
broad simplicity of countryside speech.

Sholto vented a short gasp or inarticulate snort of anger, at which
Maud Lindesay started back with affected terror.

"Do not fright a poor maid," she said. "Will you put me in the castle
dungeon if I do not answer? Tell me exactly what you want me to say,
and I will say it, most mighty captain."

And she made him the prettiest little courtesy, turning at the same
time her eyes in mock humility on the ground.

"Oh, Maud Lindesay," said Sholto, with a little conflicting sob in his
throat, ill becoming so noted a warrior as the captain of the
castle-guard of the Black Douglas, "if you knew how I loved you, you
would not treat me thus."

The girl came nearer to him and laid a white and gentle hand on the
sleeve of his blue archer's coat.

"Nay, lad," she said more soberly, lifting a finger to his face,
"surely you are no milksop to mind how a girl flouts you. Love the
Earl--say you? Well, is it not our duty to the bread we eat? Is he not