“And by heaven,” said he, “I will gratify it if I’m in time! Promise me, cousin, that you’ll marry me to-night, and I’ll save Dick Coope--that is,” he said, with a sudden caution, “if he’s yet alive, and if you can find me money for the enterprise.” “But to-night?” said I, much confused. “Oh, cousin--why, was ever aught so sudden? Let us say a month hence, or a fortnight.” “No,” he said, “to-night--this very night. I will bring a clergyman with me.” “I am so taken aback,” I said. “Let us say a week hence, cousin.” “No,” he said. “A week? ’Tis a lifetime--you must make me the happiest of men to-night if I do this for you. Come, yes or no, coz?” “Why,” said I, looking away from him, “you deserve to be rewarded for your enterprise, Master Anthony, so I will say yes. But--nay,” I said, as he made as if to embrace me, “let us defer all that until we have some leisure--bethink you what there is to do. We must bestir ourselves if you really mean to win me for your own ere to-morrow morning. What is our bargain, cousin? That you are to rescue Dick Coope and bring him here, and that I am then to reward you with my hand?” “And your heart,” said he, still pressing me with his attentions. “Why, of course,” said I, and laughed. “Come, cousin, let us sit down and make our arrangements,” and I contrived to keep the table between us. “Now, first,” I said, giving him the bag of gold which Dick had handed to me when we were caught by the troopers, “there is money for your needs in this matter. Now let us settle all other things. First, you are to set out forthwith for Pomfret and busy yourself about Dick’s escape. You will, I suppose, bribe those that have him in charge?” “Leave that to me,” he answered, with a chuckle. “I know a trick or two of that sort.” “I am sure of it,” said I. “Then you are to bring him here so that he can be furnished with money for his journey out of the country.” “Must he come here?” said he. “If I manage his escape----” “Why, to tell you the truth, cousin,” said I, “I want to see him for a good reason. Sir Nicholas on his death-bed confided to Dick a secret as to the hiding of some considerable treasure, and I want to have it out of him. He cannot refuse to tell me after what we have done for him,” I said. “He shall be brought here,” he answered. “And when will you return with him?” I said. “Why,” said he, musingly, “I have a plan, and if it goes as I think it will, it will be within an hour after midnight.” “Then I will expect you, cousin,” said I. I paused a moment, and then looked at him in a shy fashion. “And you will bring a clergyman with you?” I said, striving, and I hope with some success, to counterfeit a becoming modesty. “Assuredly I will!” he cried.