"Yes, quite, thank you," and she retreated farther, "and you, have you forgotten you came to see Mr. Hamilton?"
"Why—so I did," I stammered out absently.
She was on the top step, pulling the latch-string of the great door.
"Stop! Frances—dear!" I cried.
She stood motionless and I felt that this last rashness of an unruly tongue—too frank by far—had finished me.
"What? Can I do anything to repay you for your trouble in bringing me here?"
"I've been repaid," I answered, "but indeed, indeed, long live the Queen! May it please Her Majesty to grant a token to her leal and devoted knight——"
"What is thy request?" she asked laughingly. "What token doth the knight covet?"
"The token that goes with good-nights," and I ventured a pace up the stairs.
"There, Sir Knight," she returned, hastily putting out her hand, which was not what I wanted, but to which I gratefully paid my devoir. "Art satisfied?" she asked.