“Sweet lady, stratagem is as fair in love as in war.”
“But there was no stratagem. He brought me here by violence!”
“It was the violence of passion inspired by your too delightful beauty. Gentle lady, you must forgive him,” answered Vittorio. And then, with a deep bow, he turned away from Elfie, and, addressing Albert, inquired:
“Shall we move forward?”
“If you please, Corsoni,” answered Colonel Goldsborough.
And the party started—Albert Goldsborough letting his horse pace slowly while Vittorio Corsoni walked by his side.
“I would dismount and walk with you willingly if I were not so burdened and hampered,” laughed Albert.
“Burdened with beauty, hampered with happiness,” murmured Vittorio gallantly.
But at the last words of his colonel, Mutchison had jumped off his horse, the use of which he now respectfully pressed upon the Free Sword.
Vittorio laughed and accepted it, saying that it would enable him the better to keep up with his companions.