"My orders will not endure much delay."
"You can't take the lady by force."
"I count on the aid of my friends and the King's to persuade her to accompany me willingly."
I do not know whether the words brought the idea suddenly and as if with a flash into Carford's head. It may have been there dim and vague before, but now it was clear. He paused on his way to the door, and turned back with brightened eyes. He gave a careless laugh, saying,
"My dear Fontelles, you have more than me to reckon with before you take her away."
"What do you mean, my lord?"
"Why, men in love are hard to reason with, and with fools in love there is no reasoning at all. Come, I'm your friend, although there is for the moment a difficulty that keeps us apart. Do you chance to remember our meeting at Canterbury?"
"Why, very well."
"And a young fellow who talked French to you?" Carford laughed again. "He disturbed you mightily by calling out——"