"But you may see him at Whitehall," I suggested. "What then?"
"If he remains there, I shall not. But when he learns that his presence will drive me away, I know he will leave," she answered.
"I believe you estimate him justly. Did you tell him you were going to court?" I asked.
"No," she answered, "because I am not sure that I shall go."
"Then we'll not tell him," I suggested.
"Nor any one else?" she asked.
"By all means, no one else," I replied. "I am sure you will win in this beauty contest, but you might fail, in which case we should be sorry if any one knew of the attempt."
"I shall not fail," she answered confidently, though not in vanity.
"But Hamilton said he would return to the siege when he had made his fortune," I suggested.
"Of that I have no hope," she returned dolefully, "and I shall put him out of my thoughts if I can, as soon as I can."