Eyes and voice were imperious, and in her cheeks burned an indignant crimson. My lord’s face was set and white; he looked at her, but spoke no word.

“The Spanish ships might pass, lady,” said the Governor; “but this is an English ship, with the flag of England above her.”

“Yea,” she said. “What then?”

The circle rustled again. The Governor loosed his wife’s fingers and leaned forward. “You plead well, lady!” he exclaimed. “You might win, an Captain Percy had not seen fit to fire upon us.”

A dead silence followed his words. Outside the square window a cloud passed from the face of the sun, and a great burst of sunshine entered the cabin.