"I pray heaven," said I cheerfully, "that I may never be in greater. Come, Mistress Barbara, sport for sport, trick for trick, feint for feint. I think your intention of leaving me was pretty much as real as this peril of drowning from which I have escaped."
Her hands, which still implored me, fell to her side. An expression of wonder spread over her face.
"In truth, I meant to leave you," she said.
"And why, madame?"
"Because I burdened you."
"But you had consented to accept my aid."
"While you seemed to give it willingly. But I had angered you in the matter of that——"
"Ay, of that guinea. Well, it was my last."
"Yes, of the guinea. Although I was foolish, yet I could not endure your——" Again she hesitated.
"Pray let me hear?" said I.