about my neck. A fine vengeance that, as God lives! Was it so I dealt
with you, Sir John, when you permitted your tongue to wag too freely, as
you have yourself confessed? Heaven's light, man; take a proper view;
consider was this matter likely. I take it you are a more fearsome
antagonist than was ever poor Peter Godolphin, yet when I sought
satisfaction of you I sought it boldly and openly, as is my way. When
we measured swords in your park at Arwenack we did so before witnesses
in proper form, that the survivor might not be troubled with the
Justices. You know me well, and what manner of man I am with my
weapons. Should I not have done the like by Peter if I had sought his
life? Should I not have sought it in the same open fashion, and so
killed him at my pleasure and leisure, and without risk or reproach from
any?"

Sir John was stricken thoughtful. Here was logic hard and clear as ice;
and the knight of Arwenack was no fool. But whilst he stood frowning
and perplexed at the end of that long tirade, it was Rosamund who gave
Sir Oliver his answer.

"You ran no risk of reproach from any, do you say?"

He turned, and was abashed. He knew the thought that was running in her
mind.

"You mean," he said slowly, gently, his accents charged with reproachful
incredulity, "that I am so base and false that I could in this fashion
do what I dared not for your sake do openly? 'Tis what you mean.
Rosamund! I burn with shame for you that you can think such thoughts of
one whom...whom you professed to love."