"How can I be offended, when you have tried to be my friend?" she asked; "but did you not tell me that you spoke the French tongue?" "Yes," I replied in that language. "I do not speak freely, but perhaps enough to make you understand." "Then speak to me in that tongue. You can understand now why I could tell you nothing when we first met." "Yes," I replied, "I understand. It has made me very happy." She gave me a searching glance. It was only for a moment that she looked, but I felt the beat of my heart quicken. "There is much that you do not know--cannot know." "I know enough to make me very happy," I repeated. "Almost ever since I saw you first I have felt a great burden upon my heart. Now it is gone." "You believed I was guilty of--of----" here she stammered, and seemed at a loss how to finish her sentence, but I noticed the bitterness of her voice. "No," I interrupted eagerly. "Never for one moment." I thought her eyes grew softer, for I could not help looking at her as I spoke. "Why then have you been made happy?" "Because I know you are not the wife of that man." The blood mounted to her cheeks, and the moment I saw this I turned away my head. "You have been very good to try and help me," she said, "but it does not avail, it will not avail." "I have done nothing," I replied, "nothing to what I would do if I could." "Yes, you have done much. You have helped me to save my sister." "Unconsciously," I replied. "I know nothing of her. If I had known I should not have cared. It was only you I wanted to help." "It does not matter about me. She must be saved whatever may happen. I will see to that." "Then you do not fear what the king may do?" "No, I do not fear. But do not speak again, the men are beginning to watch us." I pretended to be examining Black Ben's saddle, and to attend to one of the buckles which kept up the left stirrup. "What's the matter Master Rashcliffe," said one of the guards. "Hath some one been meddling with my stirrups?" I asked. "They seem too short." "They can be seen to when we stop at mid-day for food," he replied. After that we rode on for another mile without speaking. "I think I shall have some favour with the king," I said presently. "If so, you will soon be free." "Perchance you will be free, but not I," she replied. "If I am free you shall be free," I made answer. "No." "Why?" "Because the king's prisons will be guarded too closely. London gaols are not like Bedford Gaol." "But why should you be put in a London gaol? You have done nothing." "No; but then I shall tell nothing." "Ah," I said, catching at her meaning. "Then you know where your sister is?" I spoke the French tongue and in a low voice, but she looked around nervously, and although she gave no answer I knew I had surmised the truth. "Do not expect the worst," I said, "God lives." "Yes, God lives, and I do not fear. Let the king do his worst." "He may not suspect."