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Show Page 46 Behind him came Captain Pierce with Rose, a defiant sneer upon her face. Governor Yeardley thrust Rose into the center of the circle where the two men stood. "Now girl," he said, "we'll have this matter settled. Make your choice." The onlookers gave a rueful great sigh of disappointment at being done out of their fight. Henry Leaven grinned gap-toothed at the governor's statement, certain Rose would choose him. Edward Howe simply looked relieved that he had escaped having his head broken and tried to look as though he cared not that Rose was sure to pick Henry. For my part, I, too, was certain I knew the way of Rose's mind. Henry looked well-suited to her and I nudged Anne and said, "Likely Rose will pick Henry. What think you?" Anne nodded, though I noted she was looking not at Rose and her suitors, but only at Cisly. Rose stood, her hands upon her hips, her elbows akimbo, her chin lowered against her bosom. She peered at the two men from under her eyebrows, looking first at one then the other. At last she raised an arm and pointed a long, bony finger. "You," she said. And she pointed at Edward Howe. We all gave a gasp. Henry Leaven let out a bull-roar, shook his gnarled fist under Edward Howe's nose and tramped out of the circle of onlookers. For his part, Edward appeared as addled as Rose must surely have been when she chose him. |