“If I mistook them not, such was the name; he said he loved you once.”
“That name I have in memory—I know not what to do, or what to say: my father has been summoned to a birth, and may be yet away for many hours. Yet how can I ope the door to you—at night—he not at home—I alone? I ought not—cannot—yet do I believe you. You surely never could be so base as to invent this tale.”
“No—upon my hopes of future bliss I could not, maiden! you must not trifle with your life and honour, but let me in.”
“And if I did, what could you do against such numbers?”
“They are four to one—would soon overpower you, and one more life would be lost.”
“Not if you have arms; and I think your father would not be left without them. I fear them not—you know that I am resolute.”
“I do indeed—and now you’d risk your life for those you did assail. I thank you, thank you kindly, sir—but dare not ope the door.”
“Then, maiden, if you’ll not admit me, here will I now remain; without arms, and but ill able to contend with four armed villains; but still, here will I remain and prove my truth to one I will protect ’gainst any odds—yes, even here!”
“Then shall I be thy murderer!—but that must not be. Oh! sir—swear, swear by all that’s holy, and by all that’s pure, that—you do not deceive me.”
“I swear by thyself, maiden, than all to me more sacred!”