For the moment she did not speak; she had not known what to expect—certainly not that.
"Why not?" A smile, slightly forced, crossed his face. "Does your Ladyship think I make war on women? Only, before your Ladyship departs, it will be necessary for you to agree to a little condition."
"Condition?" She drew her breath quickly.
"That you will say nothing to incriminate him. He is an old servant of mine; has broken none of the laws of the land," with a somewhat contemptuous accent, "works his bit of ground; pays métayage, and a tax on all the fish he brings in. Only in a certain matter to-day has he served me."
"You mean I must say nothing about meeting him? You?"
"For his sake!"
"And your own!"
"Mine?" He made a careless gesture. "I should not presume! For myself I should exact, or expect, from your Ladyship no promise. To-night I shall be far away. But this good fellow remains behind; should be allowed to continue his peaceful, lowly occupation. I would not have anything happen to him on my account."
"And if I refuse to promise?" she asked haughtily. "To enter into any covenant with—you!"
"But you will not!" he said steadily. "Your Ladyship, for her own sake, should not force the alternative."