His two young squires were posted at Duchess Susan's door when she arrived, and he received a blow from one of them in clearing a way for her.

She plucked at his hand.

'Have they hurt you ?' she asked.
'Think of me to-night thanking them and heaven for this, my darling,' he replied, with a pressure that lit the flying moment to kindle the after hours.
Chloe had taken help of one of her bearers to jump out.

She stretched a finger at the unruly intruders, crying sternly, 'There is blood on you--come not nigh me!' The loftiest harangue would not have been so cunning to touch their wits.

They stared at one another in the clear moonlight.