She smiled a little. “This is madness, sir. You will be glad one day that I said you nay.”
“And will you be glad, Prue?” he asked gravely.
“I shall be glad for your sake, sir.”
“My dear, I want to take you out of this masquerade of yours at once. There’s danger on all sides, and — I love you.”
“Ah, do not!” she made swift outcry. “It’s not possible, sir. More depends on the masquerade than you know.”
“I believe I may guess. You’ve a brother took part in the late Rebellion, dressed now in woman’s clothes. His name is, I think, Robin.”
She looked wonderingly up at him. “Do you know everything, sir?”
“No,” he answered, smiling. “Not quite. Marry me, and put both your fortunes into my hands. I can help this Robin, maybe.”
“Not even for that. I could not, sir. Grant me a little pride! You would be King Cophetua, but I’ve no mind to play the beggar-maid.”
He made no reply for a moment, but stood looking down at her. “I cannot force you to marry me,” he said at last.