"True," said I; "I did forget. We are at cross purposes in this, as in all things else. I crave your pardon, Madam."
Her eyes were snapping by now. Never tell me, my dears, that eyes of the blue-gray can not flash fire when they will.
"How painstakingly you will go about to make me hate you!" she burst out. And then, all in the same breath: "But you will be rid of me presently, for good and all."
"Nay, then, Mistress Margery, you are always taking an ell of meaning for my inch of speech. 'Tis I who should do the ridding."
"Mon Dieu!" she cried, in a sudden burst of petulance; "I am sick to death of all this! Is there no way out of this coil that is strangling us both, Captain Ireton?"
"I had thought to make a way three days ago; did so make it, but you kept me from walking in it. Yet that way is still open—if you will but drop a word in my Lord's ear when you go below stairs."
"Oh, yes—a fine thing; the wife betray the husband!" This with another lip-curl of scorn. "I have some shreds and patches of pride left, sir, if you have not."
"Then free me of my obligation to you and let me do it myself. I am well enough to hang."
"And so make me a consenting accomplice? Truly, as I have said before, you have a most knightly soul, Captain Ireton."
I closed my eyes in very weariness.