How different that from the pressure of Master Dunner's lips, or of any other that had touched my hand! "I have put my pride in my pocket with my guineas," I said, "but what avail either now? I have simply succeeded in getting myself in prison with my father." "There is many a thing happens between the arrest of a criminal and his being clapped into a cell," interrupted Sir Hugh, with a profoundly philosophic air. "But I have not yet finished my catechism, my lady. I asked you last night had you a sweetheart, and your confusion led me to believe that you... What am I to think now?" "Sir," said I, "you have no right to question me as to my private affairs." "No right certainly, but as a friend, as a possible ally, I still press for an answer." "I have none." "Answer or sweetheart?" "Neither." "And there is no gallant gentleman of Scotland to whom you are pledged?" "Would I be here if there were?" I answered sharply. "True," said Sir Hugh. "Now it is my turn to question. Why do you ask?" "Not idly, your ladyship, I protest. I have a good reason." "What is that?" "Your true soldier never gives his reason until he has to." "Oh!" I remarked, indignant at being thus flouted. "Nevertheless," said he, "I shall give you mine. I am willing to save you for yourself, not however for another man." To save me! What could he mean? I stared at him, bewildered. "I don't understand," I began. "You will presently. Now, let me tell you something about myself. I haven't a relative in the world, save a distant cousin, who would succeed to the title and estates should anything happen to me. As I hinted, I have admired and played with many women; I have loved none. I have never seen my ideal, whose qualities I prated of to you so volubly last night, until"--he paused significantly--"this morning." "Oh, Sir Hugh!" I cried, "how can you thus make sport of my misfortunes?" "I was never more serious in my life, madam, and I tell you this in order that you may understand my action and that consideration for no other person than yourself need obtrude itself upon my course. I intend, when we reach Edinburgh, to deliver you to..." He stopped and looked hard at me, the conclusion hidden. "The Lord Chief Justice," said I, completing his sentence. "It is just." "To worthy Master Dunner, your attorney. I intend to place in his hands bills of exchange on my London bankers for the sum of seven thousand pounds, which, with your own three thousand, will better serve to move the King to grant your petition when you present it to him. His Majesty will be at Durham within a week. You can reach him there and save yourself the long journey to London." I stared at the man in bewildered amaze, scarce at first comprehending the meaning of his easy sentences. "But I am a prisoner," I faltered.