'Yes, you rascal,' thought Richard; 'your work.' Aloud he said, 'I hope her Grace will give you leave to retire, sir.' Madame hereupon waved her people away, and went on waving long after they had gone. Thus she was alone with her future lord. There was the wreck of fine beauty about her drawn race, beauty of the black-and-white, sheeted sort; but she looked as if she walked with ghosts. Richard was very gentle with her. He drew near, saying, 'I grieve to see you thus, Madame'; but she stopped him with a question—
'They seek to have you marry me?'
He smiled: 'Our masters desire it, Madame.'
'Are you very sure of that?'
'I am here,' he explained, 'because I am so sure.'
'And you desire—'
'I, Madame,' he said quickly and shortly, 'desire two things—the good of my country and your good. If I desire anything else, God knows it is to keep my promise.'
'What is your promise?'
'Madame,' said Richard, 'I bear the Cross on my shoulder, as you see.'
'Why,' she said, fearfully regarding it, 'that is God's work!'