"Love has not come to me yet; it might come when you return," Barbara said. "Without love I will not give my promise to any man." "Love will come," was the answer; "and, besides, love is not the whole of marriage. There are other reasons often--indeed, almost always--for giving a promise." "Is it bargaining, you mean?" "I would not call it by such a name," said Rosmore. "The alliance which satisfies parents and guardians, which sends a man and a woman walking side by side along a worthy road in the world, giving each to each what the other lacks, a good, useful comradeship which keeps at arm's length the world's cares, surely this makes a true marriage, and into it, believe me, love will come." "It may, Lord Rosmore, but I am not yet persuaded that the road is worthy, nor that such a comradeship between us could bring good. Believe me, you will be far wiser to give me time. Wait for your answer until you return." "I fear to find the bird stolen," he said. "I am not so desirable a possession as you imagine," she answered, with an effort to bring an element of banter into the interview. "You cannot see yourself at this moment, Mistress Lanison, or you would not say so. I must have your answer. Are there not many, many reasons why you should give me your promise?" "You will come to this lower level of bargaining," said Barbara. "I have no choice." "I have shown you a wise road to take," she answered; "wait until you come back from Dorsetshire." "I cannot wait." "Then if we bargain, Lord Rosmore, you must remember that there are always two sides to a bargain. You do not show me Martin Fairley a free man." "I can hardly set free a man I have not taken prisoner. Martin and the highwayman succeeded in getting away from the Abbey last night. Until we saw you leaning from your window, Sir John was absurd enough to declare that you must have warned them." "My uncle seems strangely anxious to make a rebel of me," said Barbara. "I hold to our bond. Martin Fairley is not here, therefore I give no promise this morning." "I do not remember agreeing to such a bargain," said Rosmore. "It pleases me," said Barbara, "and helps me to forget that you began by threatening me. I am not a woman to be frightened by a threat." "Then you will give me no promise?" "No; but if you persist I will give you an answer, and promise that it shall be a final one." "I would spare myself the indignity of a direct repulse," he said, "and I trust I am man enough not to let love blind my eyes to duty. I am afraid you must live to regret your decision, but I may yet find means to do you a service." He turned and left her, and, calling to Sir John that he must depart without delay, he left the terrace with her uncle, telling him, Barbara had no doubt, of the ill-success of his interview.