Jerningham's face lightened, therefore; he gave his word, slipped the woman a coin to pay her boatman, saw her to the boat by which she had come, and then took his seat in the one awaiting him, and bade the waterman make haste to the Temple stairs.
As he and Gregory walked into the Temple church, he did not immediately know the man who hastened up to meet him; for the up-turned moustaches, and the bareness of chin, except for the little tuft beneath the lip, gave the captain a somewhat spruce and gallant appearance, notwithstanding his plain attire.
"God save you, sir. I thought you had changed your mind."
"By my soul, sir--oh, 'tis Ravenshaw! 'Faith, 'tis you have changed your face. I was detained, against my will. Let's go behind that farthest pillar. Troth, this transformation--" He broke off and eyed the captain narrowly, with a sudden suspicion.
"A man's face is his own," said Ravenshaw, bluffly.
"One would think you had set yourself to charm the ladies."
"Fear not. I have no designs upon the lady you wot of. And now let me speak plain words. When I undertook your business yesterday, 'twas left in doubt between us whether your desire of this maid meant honestly."
"'Slight, it shall remain in doubt, as far as your knowledge is concerned," replied Jerningham, quickly, nettled at the other's tone.
"It was left in doubt, as far as speech went," continued Ravenshaw. "But there was little doubt in my mind. And yet I bound myself to the service because I was at war with womankind. I thought all women bad--nay, in my true heart I knew better, but I lost sight of that knowledge, and chose to think them so."
"Wherein does your opinion of the sex concern me?"
"But I was wrong," pursued the captain. "I have met one who proves they are not all bad. I were a fool, then, to hold myself at feud with the sex; and the greater fool to pay back my grudge, if I must pay it, upon one that is innocent."
"Why, thou recreant knave! Do you mean you have failed in the business and would lay it to your virtue?"
"Softly, good sir! I will tell you this: I can win the maid to meet you, if I will."
"Then what the devil--? How much money--? Come to an end, that I may know whether to use you or--"
"I will win the maid to meet you--if you will pledge yourself--"