"I scarcely know. 'Tis but an idea; a mere catching at a straw. Still, I have been credibly informed that you were decoyed last night to the den of Robin Freemantle, the highway-robber, whence, with unparalleled courage, you rescued the queen's necklace—"
"Surely," she interrupted, with some impatience, "Her Majesty's necklace can not be your private family affair?"
He laughed explosively. "Is nothing sacred to you, Lady Prudence? I only wished to felicitate you upon your most remarkable adventure, and its brilliant result, and to implore you to tell me if you found any papers or documents in the—the place where the necklace was hidden."
"Was the necklace hidden anywhere?" she inquired, in a tone of surprise. "I did not find it; it was given to me—"
"By Robin Freemantle—is it not so?" he eagerly interrupted.
"Robin Freemantle! What could make you imagine that he gave it to me?" she cried, in an accent of intense astonishment.
"My dear Viscountess, surely you are aware that this rascal, disguised in my mask and domino, followed you the whole evening of the masquerade-ball—"
"Is it possible?" cried Prue, with the prettiest imaginable air of incredulity. "La! what strange things happen at a masquerade!"
"Possible? 'Tis a fact," replied Beachcombe; "and 'tis easy to understand that having fallen madly in love with you—"
"The outrageous monster!" shrieked Prue.