"And I have thought on you every day since we parted, Barbara," he continued softly.
Barbara started, there was no doubt as to the tenderness of the tone. She was on her guard.
"Indeed, a most profitless proceeding," she answered sharply.
There was a pause during which Ralph feasted his eyes upon his companion's face. Then he continued in a meditative voice.
"Do you remember, Barbara, how Rupert and I were wont to play we were knights tilting for our lady's favour? You were ever my mistress then."
"You had no choice," she answered laughing. "Rupert took all others unto himself."
"Yet had you still been mine, Barbara, were there a thousand others, you alone. I wore your favour, and vowed to serve thee all my days. You have not forgotten that, Barbara? The day I took my vow?"
"Alack-a-day," murmured Barbara to herself. "Here now is Ralph gone crazy. Ah, me! what shall I do? And 'tis five years since we met. Can a man indeed remain so faithful?"
She looked at him doubtfully, but the look in his eyes left no room for doubt. Then she grew angry at the folly and the wilfulness of man, who seeks ever for love where it may not be found. Yet her anger was slight, seeing no woman is ever angry at love, however unsought, and she pitied him and liked him the more for his love.
So she answered lightly, striving to drive him from his course.