"No; because your actions were not clear. They were very mysterious actions. For two pins I was going to rescue you from your father myself. But I had a suspicion that even if I brought wings you wouldn't wear 'em. Really, Grace, you've wickedly wronged a good man, though I say it. You've hurt me through and through." "And what of all that you have made me suffer?" "You haven't suffered. You've merely enjoyed an extremely exciting experience. Mentally you have not endured anything to name. No woman can suffer acutely so long as she's interested in three men. I say 'three.' 'Twas John Lee helped you to escape and risked his life and ruined his fortune for you. First, how do you stand towards that romantic young fellow now? 'Tis rather important--for him. To be frank, his life is in your hands. The law of the land has dealt with him finally; but the book of John Lee's days lies with you to shut or open at will. Have you forgot him, or do you desire to? That hardly sounds like another offer of marriage, does it? Yet I'm proposing with all my heart." "Forget John! Forget him--forget to love him? Never. He saved my life." "Indeed! All these delightful incidents are still hidden from me. But the question now is his life--happily not yours. You've doubtless heard that he helped that formidable skeleton, his grandmother, to dig a tunnel under the walls of the War Prison. Maybe he did it as much for you as anybody--to assist the young hero No. 2--Stark of the 'Stars and Stripes.' Well, call it what you like, 'twas high treason and poor John Lee must hang for it. I heard sentence of death pronounced at Plymouth yesterday--a solemn experience." "John Lee--John!" The girl reeled backwards, then started to her feet. "He must be saved; he shall be saved. I cannot live if he dies. The guards--the soldiers. There must be some among them who would--oh, God, help me now! He must be saved if I tramp to the King myself!" "Bravely spoken! "'God and a soldier all people adore In time of war--but not before.' Better leave the King out and trust to God and a soldier. And we'll set the soldier first, since pounds get answered quicker than prayers. There's no time to pray when the gibbet's up." "He must be saved." "He shall be--if I can save him. He shall be saved, though the price should be my wool factory. But this is a proposal of marriage--don't forget that." "He must be saved." Norcot nodded. "So be it. 'I'll dare all heat but that in Gracie's eyes.' I may add that I'm probably the only man in Devonshire who could save him. And even I must do it by foul means, not fair ones. Say the word then!" "I implore you, if ever you loved me. Oh, if I could do it myself I would not ask you." "You can't do it." "Then do you." "And afterwards? Tut, tut! I may dance on the gallows I rob of him! One doesn't risk these highly coloured possibilities for a hand-shake. What afterwards, Grace?"