"Why, for both, good Simon. Don't you understand! See then!" She came near to me, smiling most saucily, and pursing her lips together as though she meant to kiss me.
"If I were vowed to the lady, I should fear the test," said I, "but I am free."
"Where is she?" asked Nell, letting my answer pass with a pout.
"By your very door."
"Let's have her in," cried Nell, and straightway she ran into the alley.
I followed, and came up with her just as she reached Barbara. Barbara leant no more against the wall, but lay huddled at the foot of it. Weariness and hunger had overcome her; she was in a faint, her lips colourless and her eyes closed. Nell dropped beside her, murmuring low, soft consolations. I stood by in awkward helplessness. These matters were beyond my learning.
"Lift her and carry her in," Nell commanded, and, stooping, I lifted her in my arms. The maid and the man stared. Nell shut the door sharply on them.
"What have you done to her?" she cried to me in angry accusation. "You've let her go without food."
"We had none. She flung my last money into the sea," I pleaded.
"And why? Oh, hold your peace and let us be!"