worthy? Is he not the head of our house?"

"Cheat me not with words. The Earl loves you," said Sholto, lifting
his head haughtily out of her reach. (To have one's chin pushed this
way and that by a girl's forefinger, and as it were considered
critically from various points of view, may be pleasant, but it
interferes most seriously with dignity.)

"He may, indeed," drolled the minx, "one can never tell. But he has
never said so. He is perhaps afraid, being born without the
self-conceit of some people--archers of the guard, fledgling captains,
and such-like gentrice."

"Do you love him?" reiterated Sholto, determinedly.

"I will tell you for that gold buckle," said Maud, calmly pointing
with her finger.

Instantly Sholto pulled the cap from his head, undid the pin of the
archery prize, and thrust it into his wicked sweetheart's hands.

She received it with a little cry of joy, then she pressed it to her
lips. Sholto, rejoicing at heart, moved a step nearer to her. But, in
spite of her arch delight, she was on the alert, for she retreated
deftly and featly within the chamber door of the Fair Maid of
Galloway. There was still more mirthful wickedness in her eyes.

"Love the Earl?--Of course I do. Indeed, I doat upon him," she said.
"How I shall love this buckle, just because his hand gave it to you!"