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Updated: June 5, 2025
Brilliana was sympathetically swift to explain her astonishing handwoman. "Gentles," she said, "this is Mistress Satchell, who queens it in times of peace over my kitchen, but who has proved herself my very valiant adjutant during the siege." The dame bridled with pride.
When he had gone on this business she turned to Evander. "Well," she said, "have you found the key to the riddle?" "You have made these two neighbors plunder each other?" he hazarded. Brilliana nodded gleefully, and then, guessing at disapproval in his gravity, she asserted, defiantly: "It was for the King's cause. Everything is right for the King's cause."
Rufus nodded. "I will justify you to his Majesty." "And not a word to Brilliana," Randolph iterated. "I will have my joke on my return. Farewell." He muffled himself again and went out quickly. Rufus sat biting the end of his quill. Halfman stepped forward and made him a series of extravagant salutations, which parodied the most elaborate congees of a dancing-master. Rufus glared at him.
"If you win me his word of honor to take no more part in this war, to remain neutral till King humble Commons or Commons murder King, why, it is enough; he lives." Brilliana shivered at the King's alternative. "Your Majesty cannot believe that the worst of your subjects would aim at your sacred life?"
"Oh, good sir," he gasped, dabbing with his kerchief the merry tears from his smiling eyes, "you had better do as this lady urges, for, by St. George! she employs the most irresistible logic." Evander and Brilliana, blown apart, as it were, by the breath of the King's merriment, regarded the monarch with very different feelings.
"You may speak for the London Parliament," Brilliana said, firmly, "but I think you are too bold to speak in the name of the English people. As for this poor house, it can safeguard itself very well, with the help of God." "Madam," responded Evander, "I am empowered to take by force what I would gladly gain by parley."
There was a rattle and clink as of many pewter mugs banged lustily upon an oaken table; there was a shrill explosion of laughter, the work of many merry voices; there was the grinding noise of heavy chairs pushed back across the floor for the greater ease of their occupants; there was a tapping as of pipe-bowls on the board, and then over all the mingled din rose a voice, which Brilliana knew for the voice of Halfman, ringing out a resonant appeal.
There has been hot fighting; Heaven has given us the victory; the King's cause is wellnigh lost at the first push." Brilliana felt her heart drumming against her stays, but she turned a defiant face on the news-monger. "I do not believe you," she answered. "The King's cause will always win."
"My lady," she cried, turning to Brilliana, "here comes Captain Halfman. Let us ask him his mind as to the Parliament man." Brilliana's face brightened. Here was company, and good company. She had believed him too busy to be seen so soon, for she had bade him see about raising a troop of volunteers in the village, and she turned round readily to greet her companion of the siege.
Brilliana beamed back at him with her bewildering confidence. "I have thought of that, too," she admitted. "But he shall not find us at our wit's-end. Seek Simon Butler, friend captain. Though our cellars are near empty he will make shift to find you some full flagons.
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