"I said 'If,'" and she shrank back a little, unconscious how beautiful she looked in that moment. "Consent to be my wife, and there is nothing that you can ask me that I will not do--nothing. Do you understand--nothing?" "And if I say 'No'?" Anger came back into Rosmore's face for an instant, but it was gone in a moment. "Even so I could not do my duty," he said slowly. "I should ask that another might take my place, and then--" "Then the heavy hand of the King upon us," said Sir John. "I must think. You cannot expect me to answer now, at once," said Barbara. "Duty may not wait," said Sir John. "You shall have my answer to-morrow, Lord Rosmore," Barbara said. "I must have the night to decide. Duty does not compel you to march Mad Martin from Aylingford to-night." "I will give you until to-morrow," he answered. Barbara curtsied low and turned to the door. Rosmore drew back the curtains for her, and as she passed out whispered: "I love you, sweetheart. Say 'Yes' to-morrow." "Will she consent, think you?" Sir John asked as Rosmore came slowly back across the room. "I think so; yes, I think so." "I spoke sufficiently?" questioned Sir John. "You were excellently diplomatic. Were she a woman easily frightened there would be no doubt of her answer. Your guests in the Abbey, Sir John, must not know of my presence here, nor that the place is watched to-night." "You are sure that Martin brought this man Crosby to Aylingford?" "Quite sure." "Why not take him to-night, quietly?" said Sir John. "If he is with Martin, he is probably in the old tower by the ruins. Is he most rebel or most highwayman?" "Why do you ask?" "Because, if he is most highwayman, you might influence Barbara's answer to-morrow by letting him escape." "I have thought of it, but--" "My niece and a highwayman! She may be romantic, my lord, but she is not a fool." "Gad! Sir John, you are lost here in Hampshire; you should be beside the King to advise him. If we let him go to-morrow, this knight of the road may easily meet with an accident. In my company it should not be difficult to find a man or two who can shoot straight. Your niece's romance might prove inconvenient to me if Galloping Hermit were still in the land of the living." "Settle that as you will," said Sir John, "but arrest him to-night."