"I do not think of any other thing," she concluded; and then, as though there was still hope for him, "I have never heard your grace accused of open murder."
"'Tis strange," the duke answered her with a queer look. "I have enough of the artist in me to see that the open murder would have been finely climactic. There is but one of these charges that I desire to deny to you," looking at the fire through his eyeglass as he spoke; "I don't lie," he said, adding, with the shadow of a smile, "I don't have to. And may I ask, Mistress Stair, do you believe these things of me?"
Nancy rose and looked into the fire.
"I like you," she answered.
"In spite of my crimes?"
"Because of your power," she responded.
They stood for a moment regarding each other steadily before another word was spoken.
"Ah, my lord," she said, "I must be going," and there was a shade of regret in her voice, which Borthwicke was not the man to let pass unnoticed, "I have kept my word."
"True," the duke answered, "you have kept your word."
"You will keep yours to me?" she asked, extending her hand.