"But if I were to shut my eyes, what would you do then?"
He looked doubtfully at her mocking face; she meant a little more than the idle words naturally carried.
"I don't think you'll give me the chance of considering, Baroness." He indicated her costume with a gesture of his hand. "You've entered the service, I see?"
"Yes, Captain Markart, the King's service. We are brethren—you serve him, too?"
"I have that honor." Markart flushed under her laughing scrutiny.
"We fight shoulder to shoulder then. Well, not quite. I'm a gunner, you see."
"Minus your guns, at present!"
"Not for long!" She turned round and swept her arms out towards the lake and the hills. "It's a day to think of nothing—just to go riding, riding, riding!" Her laugh rang out in merry longing.
"What prevents you?"
"My military duties, perhaps, Captain," she answered. "You're lucky—you have a long ride; don't spoil it by thinking!"