"Lord Carford said nothing of it," she said, when I ended. Then she added, "But although you will not accept the favour, you have rendered thanks for it?"
"I couldn't find my tongue when I was with the King," I answered with a shamefaced laugh.
"I didn't mean to the King," said Barbara.
It was my turn to colour now; I had not been long enough in town to lose the trick.
"I have seen her," I murmured.
Barbara suddenly made me a curtsey, saying bitterly,
"I wish you joy, sir, of your acquaintance."
When a man is alone with a beautiful lady, he is apt not to love an intruder; yet on my soul I was glad to see Carford in the doorway. He came towards us, but before he could speak Barbara cried to him,
"My lord, Mr Dale tells me news that will interest you."
"Indeed, madame, and what?"