Now I am, and always shall be awkward in my ways toward women. A woman's tears always unman me, and make me soft-hearted. So I knew not what to say to her, and for the life of me I could not be angry. In the providence of God all men love all women, only there must be one especially to stir the depths of each man's heart. And, verily, had not mine heart been taken captive, I should have taken Tamsin in my arms and kissed her, so piteous was her cry, and so full of love was the light which shone from her eyes.
"Look you, Tamsin," I said, "I cannot help it, but that maid hath taken all my love. But for her I might have been different; now I can only love you as a brother should love a sister."
Then her eyes became hard, and I knew I had spoken wrongly.
"I must go now," I continued, "for she is in danger; and if we ride not hard, I may not see her again."
"Yes, go," she said with an angry laugh; "overtake her, rescue her, if you can."
This aroused my suspicions. "Tamsin," I said, "have you told me truly? Are these men taking her to Padstow? I am trusting you implicitly. It is hard for a man to threaten a woman, but if you have told me wrongly, may God have mercy upon you, for I will not."
"I have spoken the truth, Jasper; only be careful to inquire at Penryn if the _Golden Cross_ has been seen in the harbour. I know they talked about it being there. If it has been seen, they have gone on to Padstow."
"I heard the priest say so," said Tamsin. "He said if the _Golden Cross_ is lying at Penryn, we can get to Bristol without going to Padstow; if it isn't, we ride to Padstow."
"You swear this, Tamsin? My heart is very sore," I cried.
"Yes; this is truth, Jasper, this is what they said;" but she did not look me in the face as she spoke.
I pushed the bag of money in my pocket and turned to go, but she caught my arm again.
"Won't you kiss me, Jasper?" she said, "just to show you forgive me. Just kiss me once; it will be the only time in this world."
So I kissed her as a brother might kiss a sister, and not as a lover kisses a maid. This I swear by my love for the only maid I ever loved, and by my faith as a Christian man. But she clung to me, and would not let me go, and even as she did so I heard the sound of many voices in the house adjoining, and then Captain Jack and Israel Barnicoat came to the little hut in which we were.