"No, I do not know it," I replied; "I can only guess." "I tell you Goodlands is watched closely, and the whole countryside is watched. If she is anywhere in the district then----," and my father shrugged his shoulders, French fashion, as he ceased to speak. "Then she needs me all the more." "Oh, you fool, you fool!" said my father, and yet I thought his voice was kind and caressing. "Look here," he went on presently. "I have influence with Duke James of York, who I verily believe will soon be king. Charles will not live to be an old man. He cannot. No man can live long who spends his days and nights as he doth. And let me tell you this: Duke James doth not think unkindly of you, if Charles doth. Even now I can put you into the way of advancement, for Duke James hath much power. If you give up all thoughts of this woman I can even yet promise you a career. The duke thought you a dashing youth with a ready wit and a strong arm. But if you do what is in your heart to do, I can see nothing for you but the prison or the gallows." "Neither," I cried boldly, for what he had said had made me brave and hopeful. "What then?" "I know not. But I will go and help the woman I love. If she will wed me, no man in England will be so happy as I." "How will you live?" said my father with a sneer. "I will escape to New England, even as some of our forefathers did," I cried. "Some of her forefathers are also there." "And if you did this what would you do?" "I am not a fool, even although you say I am," I cried. "I am young, and at her side I shall be strong. Men no better than I have had a career in other lands, and I will be in no whit behind them." My father smiled sadly. "Well, come with me to the old home, and then we can think of these things together," he said presently. "If mother were where Constance is, what would you do?" I asked again. At this my father became silent for a time, then he burst out. "Have you any of these Puritan beliefs?" "Which would you rather I became?" I said. "A Puritan, or like unto the swashbucklers which I am told throng the king's court?" "But hath this woman converted you?" "I do not know," I replied; "but I would be worthy of her. Whom would you have me wed, father, a woman such as she is, or one of the women whom Charles loves to have around him."