In my humble judgment, a very fine, large, and subtle volume might be composed on the canons of eavesdropping--when a man may listen, when he may not, and for how long he may, to what end, for what motives, in what causes, and on what provocations. It may be that the Roman Divines, who, as I understand, are greatly adept in the science of casuistry, have accomplished already the task I indicate. I know not; at least I have nowhere encountered the result of their labours. But now I sat still behind the great chair and listened without doubt or hesitation. Yet how long I could have controlled myself I know not, for his Grace made light of scruples that night and set bounds at nought. At first Mistress Barbara was merry with him, fencing and parrying, in confidence that he would use no roughness nor an undue vehemence. But on he went; and presently a note of alarm sounded in her voice as she prayed him to suffer her to depart and return to the Duchess, who must have need of her. "Nay, I won't let you go, sweet mistress. Rather, I can't let you go." "Indeed, sir, I must go," she said. "Come, I will call my Lord Carford, to aid me in persuading your Grace." He laughed at the suggestion that a call for Carford would hinder him. "He won't come," he said; "and if he came, he would be my ally, not yours." She answered now haughtily and coldly: "Sir, Lord Carford is a suitor for my hand. It is in your Grace's knowledge that he is." "But he thinks a hand none the worse because I've kissed it," retorted Monmouth. "You don't know how amiable a husband you're to have, Mistress Barbara." I was on my feet now, and, peering round the chair which hid me from them, I could see her standing against the wall, with Monmouth opposite to her. He offered to seize her hand, but she drew it away sharply. With a laugh he stepped nearer to her. A slight sound caught my ear, and, turning my head, I saw Carford on the lowest step of the stairs; he was looking at the pair, and a moment later stepped backwards, till he was almost hidden from my sight, though I could still make out the shape of his figure. A cry of triumph from Monmouth echoed low but intense through the hall; he had caught the elusive hand and was kissing it passionately. Barbara stood still and stiff. The Duke, keeping her hand still in his, said mockingly: "You pretty fool, would you refuse fortune? Hark, madame, I am a King's son." I saw no movement in her, but the light was dim. He went on, lowering his voice a little, yet not much. "And I may be a King; stranger things have come to pass. Wouldn't you like to be a Queen?" He laughed as he put the question; he lacked the care or the cunning to make even a show of honesty. "Let me go," I heard her whisper in a strained, timid voice. "Well, for to-night you shall go, sweetheart, but not without a kiss, I swear." She was frightened now and sought to propitiate him, saying gently and with attempted lightness,