"For what?"
"Your word."
"What word?"
"The word that your motives are honourable. That you seek only to carry out the maid's wishes. That you will take her to the house of John Polperro, and then, if she wishes, leave her as a gentleman should."
I did not answer. I could not.
"I wait," he said presently.
"I am not accustomed to pledge my word and tell my purposes to strangers," I replied. "I must consider."
"And I must consider," he retorted.
"What?"
"Whether I tell the lady Nancy not to trust you. Whether I shall send word to the Killigrews telling of your whereabouts, or throw you on the rocks beneath us!"