As for Captain Protheroe, he vowed to himself that never before had she looked so lovely. Her cheeks glowed with health and freshness, and her eyes danced, her pretty feet and slender ankles peeped from beneath her skirt, and her face and figure seemed infinitely attractive, a harmonious part of the beauty around her. She was adorable, and he longed to tell her so; aye, more, he longed to tell her of his new-born love, to plead for her mercy, to lay his life, his worship in homage at her feet. But he dared not speak his thoughts, he dared not let himself be carried away by her beauty, lest losing for a moment his self-restraint, he lose it forever, and destroy at once his honour and the hope of her love. So with an effort he turned his gaze aside and assumed once more his customary manner of careless raillery. "Ah! Mistress Barbara," he cried gaily, again glancing at her garments disarranged and travel-stained, "I vow ’tis too bad of me. I knew it was no path of roses we followed last night, but I little dreamed the journey was so severe an one as this betokens. It was indeed careless of me, and yet I knew no other way. I pray your forgiveness." "Indeed, there is nought to forgive. Is it not ever a path of thorns that leads to Paradise, and methinks e’en Paradise can scarce be more lovely than this." He flushed with pleasure. "You like our camp, madame!" "’Tis perfection. I have never seen aught so lovely. The forest is a new world to me." "A new world, and you the queen on’t." "A pretty queen i’ faith, in rags and tatters. More like a beggar-maid methinks." "An all beggar-maids were so, madame, one would judge King Cophetua a man of infinite discernment, and wisest choice." Her eyes danced in recognition of the compliment, but meeting his glance she deemed it wiser to bring him back to earth. "An I be queen, prithee, fair subject, give me my breakfast, for I am hungry as a trooper." "’Twill be a somewhat cheerless meal, I fear," he muttered discontentedly; "I have been abroad in search of something better to offer than the cold bacon and pasty we purloined from the inn, but I met with little success. Here are all my spoils." He unfolded two large leaves filled with wild plums and berries, and together they sat down to the meal. Barbara laughed lightly at the extraordinary collection of viands her companion produced from his bundle, but Captain Protheroe regarded the food scattered about on the ground with a rueful countenance. "’Tis poor fare indeed, Mistress Barbara. But that foul witch, Misfortune, has driven us forth into the wilderness, and we must needs endure the distresses she showers on us with as bold a heart as we may."