Now, at once the thought entered Margaret’s mind that he had some news of Peter to communicate to her—bad news perhaps. “Be seated, and speak on, Señor,” she said, sinking into a chair, while he too sat down, but still in front of the door. “Señora,” he said, “my business in this country is finished, and in a few days I sail hence for Spain.” And he hesitated a moment. “I trust that your voyage will be pleasant,” said Margaret, not knowing what else to answer. “I trust so also, Señora, since I have come to ask you if you will share it. Listen, before you refuse. To-day I saw your father, and begged your hand of him. He would give me no answer, neither yea nor nay, saying that you were your own mistress, and that I must seek it from your lips.” “My father said that?” gasped Margaret, astonished, then bethought her that he might have had reasons for speaking so, and went on rapidly, “Well, it is short and simple. I thank you, Señor; but I stay in England.” “Even that I would be willing to do for your sake Señora, though, in truth, I find it a cold and barbarous country.” “If so, Señor d’Aguilar, I think that I should go to Spain. I pray you let me pass.” “Not till you have heard me out, Señora, when I trust that your words will be more gentle. See now I am a great man in my own country. Although it suits me to pass here incognito as plain Señor d’Aguilar I am the Marquis of Morella, the nephew of Ferdinand the King, with some wealth and station, official and private. If you disbelieve me, I can prove it to you.” “I do not disbelieve,” answered Margaret indifferently, “it may well be so; but what is that to me?” “Then is it not something, Lady, that I, who have blood-royal in my veins, should seek the daughter of a merchant to be my wife?” “Nothing at all—to me, who am satisfied with my humble lot.” “Is it nothing to you that I should love as I do, with all my heart and soul? Marry me, and I tell you that I will lift you high, yes, perhaps even to the throne.” She thought a moment, then asked: “The bribe is great, but how would you do that? Many a maid has been deceived with false jewels, Señor.” “How has it been done before? Not every one loves Ferdinand. I have many friends who remember that my father was poisoned by his father and Ferdinand’s, he being the elder son. Also, my mother was a princess of the Moors, and if I, who dwell among them as the envoy of their Majesties, threw in my sword with theirs—or there are other ways. But I am speaking things that have never passed my lips before, which, were they known, would cost me my head—let it serve to show how much I trust you.” “I thank you, Señor, for your trust; but this crown seems to me set upon a peak that it is dangerous to climb, and I had sooner sit in safety on the plain.”