‘Even so, I should thank her. Then would the bitterest pang be taken away. Those at our home would not deem us faithless recreants.’
‘Thank her!’ murmured the lad in an inward voice. ‘Very well, sir, I will carry her your decision. It is your final one. Disgrace, prison, death—rather than freedom, love, wealth!’
‘The semblance of dishonour rather than the reality!’ said Berenger, firmly.
The light-footed page disappeared, and in a few moments a very different tread came up from below, and Philip appeared.
‘What is it, Berry? Methought I heard a voice.’
‘Forgive me, brother,’ said Berenger, holding out his hand; ‘I have thrown away another offer.’
‘Tush, the thing to pardon would be having accepted one. I only wish they would leave us in peace! What was it this time?’
‘A messenger through young Selinville. Strange, to trust her secrets to that lad. But hush, here he is again, much sooner than I thought. What, sir, have you been with your lady again?’
‘Yes, sir,’ the young said, with a trembling voice, and Berenger saw that his eyes were red with weeping; ‘she bids me tell you that she yields. She will save you eve while you have and despite her! There is only one thing—-’
‘And what is that?’