Which, as I admit, made me feel monstrously unsafe.

However, I took the engine across my arm and stood at attention as I had seen him do, with the match thrust through my waistband.
Then I felt as if I had suddenly grown at least a foot taller, and my joy was changed to ecstasy when the Lady Ysolinde, coming out quickly, I knew not at first for what purpose, found me thus standing sentinel and blowing importantly upon my slow-match.
"Hugo," she said, kindly, looking at me with the aqua-marine eyes that had the opal glints in them, "come thy ways in and sit with us." I made her a salute with my piece and thanked her for her good thought.
"But," said I, "Lady Ysolinde, pray remember that this is a place of danger, and that it is more fitting that we who have the honor to be your guards should dine together without your chamber doors." "Nay," she said, impetuously, "I insist.

It is not right that you, who are to be an officer, should mess with the common soldiers." "My lady," said I, "I thank you deeply.

And it shall be so, I promise you, when we are in safety.

But let me have my way here and now." She smiled upon me--liking me, as I think, none the worse for my stiffness.