"No, you cannot, Trevanion, you cannot. Still you are not going to leave Trevanion." "I am afraid it cannot be helped." "Many things are possible when kings speak." "I am afraid I do not understand," I said with a fast-beating heart. "Then I will make you understand. I have, as I told you, but just returned from London; I have held converse with his gracious majesty, King George II. I have told him your story. I have informed him of the signal service you have rendered." "Yes, my lord," I said, like one in a dream. "He is not ungrateful, nay, he is much pleased; and as a reward for your fidelity and bravery, Trevanion is yours free of all incumbrances." What followed after that I have but a dim remembrance, for indeed I was unable to pay much heed to the details which he communicated to me. Enough that Trevanion was mine, and that I could now give a home to my dear maid. "With regard to the other matter," went on Hugh Boscawen, "the King could not interfere. The question of the law comes in, and the law is sacred. The matter is not yet settled, but I am afraid everything will pass to the next of kin." I said nothing, and although I knew it would be a sore blow to my dear maid, I am afraid it troubled me but little, for had I not Trevanion to offer her? "It will be a sad blow to the maid," said Boscawen, "not simply because of the loss of the lands, but she is also without name. Foolish as it may seem, the fact of the illegality of her father's marriage, even although he thought all was well, will ruin her chances for life. Some yeoman might marry her, but no one of higher position. You, for example, would not give her your name. You could not. High as the Trevanions have stood, your friends would close their doors to such a wife." "That would not matter, my lord," I answered quickly. "Do you know young John Polperro too?" he asked without noticing my interruption. "I have seen him once," I replied. "It was at Endellion, was it not?" "Yes, my lord." "He has been here this morning." "Indeed," I said, and although I scarce knew why, I became strangely excited. "He had heard of my return, and rode here with all speed. News had reached him that I had assumed the guardianship of the maid. He had heard nothing of--of Trevisa's secret, and he came to repeat his offer of marriage." "Did he see her?" I asked. "No," replied Hugh Boscawen dryly, "he did not even ask for that honour." "No," I replied, much relieved; "why not?" "He seemed eager to plead his cause until I told him the truth, and then----" "What?" I asked. "He said he would consult his father." I laughed aloud. "You seem merry, Trevanion." "Yes, I am," I replied. "It shows the value of the love he protested at Endellion. But it would not have mattered, she would not have listened to him." "I suppose I can guess your reason for saying this?" "Most likely," I replied.