"I love you for it the better, Miles. Our love is not an ordinary one. In wedding you, I espouse your sacred duty, to work hand in hand with you, and urge you on, should a momentary lethargy overtake you. Such an engagement should not be lightly accepted; for, in marrying you, I marry a man of care, and heavy obligation." "Dearest Minnie, now I have no further fear; so let us speak of our plans. I came to-night--'twas an impulse done without consideration, or I should not have been here--for your fame's sake, lest a discovery might be made. I will not come again; you must meet me elsewhere." "How, Miles?" she asked, smiling in his face; "you forget I am a prisoner!" "I think I can arrange it, with the connivance of Dame Gillett. She----" He had commenced this speech smiling; something, however, crossed his mind. So pure was Minnie in his thought, so pure would he keep her, that the idea of making her a party to his own little ruse with the housekeeper, pained him. No; he preferred the risk of that woman discovering the truth, rather than make Minnie do one thing, not clear as noonday, _even had she consented_, which probably she would not. "She," he said, correcting his first thought "likes me; I saw her last evening; she permits me again to play the boy, and creep through that pretty window, by which Minnie, too, has learned the way; I will induce her to smuggle you down there." "Will she, do you think?" she asked joyously. "I hope so, and now for another point, my darling girl. My wife must be boldly--manfully sought; secure of your love, I will ask your hand from your uncle." "My uncle!" she exclaimed in terror. "He never will consent; he will be doubly severe with me, urged on, I know, by Marmaduke Burton." "Confide in me, Minnie; this must be done. Let them not say of me, that I came only in secret, afraid of the light. I have formed no plans; only this first necessary act must be put in practice: let time decide the rest. It was the assurance of your more than passing love, that I required, before appealing to your relations. I do not doubt you now, so my path is clear before me!"