She tore at the lace wrapping about her throat as though it were choking her; her eyes were fixed on mine. I answered her gaze with a steady regard, and her cheek grew red with a hot blush. "His motive you may guess," said I. "There is convenience in a husband." I had put it at last plainly enough, and when I had said it I averted my eyes from hers. "I won't go," I heard her gasp. "I'll throw myself at the King's feet." "He'll make a clever jest on you," said I bitterly. "I'll implore M. de Perrencourt----" "His answer will be--polite." For a while there was silence. Then she spoke again in a low whisper; her voice now sounded hard and cold, and she stood rigid. "Who is the man?" she asked. Then she broke into a sudden passion, and, forgetting caution, seized me by the arm, whispering, "Have you your sword?" "Aye, it is here." "Will you use it for me?" "At your bidding." "Then use it on the body of the man." "I'm the man," said I. "You, Simon!" Now what a poor thing is this writing, and how small a fragment of truth can it hold! "You, Simon!" The words are nothing, but they came from her lips full-charged with wonder, most incredulous, yet coloured with sudden hope of deliverance. She doubted, yet she caught at the strange chance. Nay, there was more still, but what I could not tell; for her eyes lit up with a sudden sparkle, which shone a brief moment and then was screened by drooping lids. "That is why I go," said I. "With M. de Perrencourt's favour and such a lady for my wife I might climb high. So whispered M. de Perrencourt himself." "You!" she murmured again; and again her cheek was red. "We must not reach Calais, if we can escape by the way. Be near me always on the ship, fortune may give us a chance. And if we come to Calais, be near me, while you can." "But if we can't escape?" I was puzzled by her. It must be that she found in my company new hope of escape. Hence came the light in her eyes, and the agitation which seemed to show excitement rather than fear. But I had no answer to her question, "If we can't escape?" Had I been ready with fifty answers, time would have failed for one. M. Colbert called to me. The King was embracing his guest for the last time; the sails were spread; Thomas Lie was at the helm. I hastened to obey M. Colbert's summons. He pointed to the King; going forward, I knelt and kissed the hand extended to me. Then I rose and stood for a moment, in case it should be the King's pleasure to address me. M. de Perrencourt was by his side. The King's face wore a smile and the smile broadened as he spoke to me. "You're a wilful man, Mr Dale," said he, "but fortune is more wilful still. You would not woo her, therefore woman-like she loves you. You were stubborn, but she is resolute to overcome your stubbornness. But don't try her too far. She stands waiting for you open-armed. Isn't it so, my brother?" "Your Majesty speaks no more than truth," answered M. de Perrencourt.