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Updated: June 5, 2025
She looked into the garden and came back with a shiver. "Ah, no, it is raining. It rained when the King raised his standard at Nottingham. Well, well, we can read here." Evander was turning the leaves. "What shall we read? Comedy, history, tragedy?" Brilliana was for the solemn mask. "Let it be tragedy. I have laughed so much this morning that my mind turns to melancholy."
"Call me your knight," Master Paul pleaded, with a languishing look. "You have done well, my knight," Brilliana repeated; then, turning to Tiffany, she bade her see that the chest was set in a place of safety. The two men took up their burden again and followed Tiffany out of the room. But in a jiffy the maid was back again and whispering in her mistress's ear.
"Your words mean more than the King's words to me. You know that." Brilliana did not look vastly displeased at this wild speech, but she forced a tiny frown and set her finger to her lips. "Hush!" she said. "What of Randolph?" "Less fortunate than I," Rufus resumed, in calmer tones, "he ran into the arms of a burly Parliament man, that Cambridge Crophead Mr. Cromwell, who made him prisoner."
Halfman laughed loudly; Brilliana laughed softly; Evander wondered what there was to laugh at. "Lodge them apart and bring them in by turn," Brilliana gave order. "Master Paul first and then Master Peter. This is rare. Bring them in, bring them in." Tiffany fluttered out and Evander rose from his chair. "Shall I leave you, lady?" he asked, thinking that she would be private.
In the end they went off together arm in arm, each endeavoring to convey to Brilliana by nods and winks that he proposed to return alone very shortly. As soon as they were fairly gone Brilliana and Halfman allowed themselves to laugh like school-boy and school-girl, and then Brilliana commanded Halfman to take order that neither gentleman was to be admitted again.
"Belike, belike; I am unwise to think upon it," he said, in a low voice. Leaning across the table, he struck a bell sharply. The door opened and the soldier in immediate attendance upon the King entered. "Tell Sir Rufus to attend us," the King said. The soldier bowed and withdrew. Charles looked up at Brilliana. "Sir Rufus will be loath to lose his prey," he said.
If the King's cause were to go well, if the lady indeed had favor with his Majesty, to offend her would be verily a piece of mortal folly. He came nigh to falling on his knees as he pleaded. "Nay, nay, never so hot, now; I am your suitor, in faith, I am your very good servant. I would serve your will in this if I could but march with the law." Brilliana jumped at his concession.
"Yet I may not say that I am sorry, for if I had not failed I should have lost a friend." He looked admiringly at her, but Brilliana drew herself up stiffly and regarded him coldly. "You may be my kinsman without being my friend," she said, with a sourness which had the effect of making Evander laugh like a boy.
"Shall the King lack hands for lack of madder?" he questioned, with humorous indignation. "Not so, I pray you; let us cut our coats from your white cloth. I promise you we will dye it ourselves red enough in the blood of the enemy." Brilliana sprang to her feet rejoicing. "Bravely said; so shall it be bravely done. I will give orders at once for the cutting and sewing.
'Tis as I said: the pestilent Roundhead had a chest full of broad-pieces stuffed under his bed. And here it now is at your feet." And he pointed victoriously at the spoils of war. Brilliana applauded as if she had been at the play. "You have done well," she said, with the tears in her eyes for laughter. Halfman kept a grave face and Evander wondered.
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