"I have a proposal to make," said Talbot, "which is worth something if you will only do it."
"What is that?"
"I have been thinking about it all day. It is this: Take this priest's dress again, and go. The priest, you know, is not a prisoner. He stays voluntarily. He has leave to go whenever he wishes. Now, you are the real priest, I am not. I am wearing your dress. Take it back, and go."
Brooke looked at her for a few moments in silence. It was too dark for her to see the look that he gave her.
At length, with his usual short laugh, he said,
"Well, that's a refreshing sort of a proposal to make, too, after all that has passed between us!"
"Why not?" asked Talbot. "What objection is there to it?"
"Such a question," said Brooke, "does not deserve an answer."
"My plan is feasible enough, and quite safe too."
"Nonsense! And what, pray, is to become of you?"