"Come, take heart," said I. "The Duke's a great man, of course; but no harm shall come to you, Mistress Barbara. Your father bade me have my services in readiness for you, and although I didn't need his order as a spur, I may pray leave to use it as an excuse for thrusting myself on you."
"Indeed I—I'm glad to see you, Simon. But what shall I do? Ah, Heaven, why did I ever come to this place?"
"That can be mended by leaving it, madame."
"But how? How can I leave it?" she asked despairingly.
"The Duchess will grant you leave."
"Without the King's consent?"
"But won't the King consent? Madame will ask for you; she's kind."
"Madame won't ask for me; nobody will ask for me."
"Then if leave be impossible, we must go without leave, if you speak the word."