caught its gleam, and I saw her press closer to the wall, and with
her right hand strive stealthily to detach the blade from its
fastening. She did not understand the trick. Her hand dropped to
her side, and she was passing on, when I crossed the room,
loosened the dagger, and offered it to her, with a smile and a bow.
She flushed scarlet and bit her lips, but she took it.

"There are bars to the door within," I said. "Again, good-night."

"Good-night," she answered, and, entering the room, she shut the
door. A moment more, and I heard the heavy bars drop into place.



CHAPTER V IN WHICH A WOMAN HAS HER WAY


TEN days later, Rolfe, going down river in his barge, touched at
my wharf, and finding me there walked with me toward the house.

"I have not seen you since you laughed my advice to scorn - and
took it," he said. "Where's the farthingale, Benedick the married
man?"

"In the house."

"Oh, ay!" he commented. "It's near to supper time. I trust she's a
good cook?"

"She does not cook," I said dryly. "I have hired old Goody Cotton