"That you have!" I cried. "I shall not forget your kindness, your delicacy about ... about my shoulder. A helpless maid could have fallen in no gentler hands. I shall thank you for your treatment during the rest of my short and unhappy life." "Soldiers," said Sir Hugh, "are not always so black as they are painted. I am glad to hear you say that. I tried to treat you as I would a sister or a wife, had I been blessed with either. Now, will you allow me to question you on one or two points?" "You may ask me anything, and anything that a woman may properly reveal I shall not keep back. I am glad to requite your services by entire confidence." "You say that your father is not guilty of high treason?" "No," said I, "I cannot say that, but I do say he went with Monmouth's adherents against his will; that he was in a measure compelled to, and that there are many circumstances which mitigate his offence against the King, so much so that, with the petition for pardon, we are persuaded that His Majesty will commute the sentence perhaps to exile or confinement." "I am a soldier of the King, and, therefore, what I say may appear strange, but you interest me, madam. You interested me last night, you interested me more this morning, and you interest me even more at this moment." If interest in his language did not spell some other word, then I fear I was no judge of hidden meanings. "There is one argument to which the King is rarely insensible," he resumed rather guardedly. "And what is that?" "'Tis heard in the ring of the guinea upon his fellow." "We are not without some argument of that sort," I replied. "And how much, pray, do your resources amount to?" "About three thousand pounds, I think," was my answer. "Including the hundred I won from you last night?" He took the wet purse from his pocket and balanced it lightly in his hand. "Including that," I said, humbly enough now in all conscience. "Now, madam," he said, extending it to me once more, "I pray you as the good comrade of a poor soldier, who, although he hath been cozened by a woman, is not yet without some reputation, to accept this trifle as part of your father's ransom." I hesitated. It was hard for me to put my pride in my pocket, but he had spoke me so fair and had treated me so well; his manner was so winning--and we needed the money so much--I actually took it. "That's well done," he said, clapping me lightly on the shoulder, "and like a lad of spirit," he laughed. I was unreasonably glad of his praise, I know not why; but honestly I set down my feelings as they came to me. I did not resent the friendly touch on my shoulder, either; its kindly animus was so apparent. "You have been very good to me," I said, extending my hand. He took it in his own firm, brown one, and held it strongly, yet without hurt. "'Tis the first lad's hand I ever kissed," he laughed again, bending over it and pressing his lips upon it.