"He need not know that yet."
"No?"
"He need not know it," she continued firmly, "until he has played his part, and wrung your pardon from the King! Or at the least--for that may take time--until he has drawn off his power and left you to face those whom you can easily match!"
"He would have wedded you?" he asked, eyeing her in wonder.
"For certain."
"But, sweet----"
"I am sweet now!" she said, with tender raillery.
"To do this you must go to him?"
"He shall touch of me no more than the tips of my fingers," she answered smiling. "Nor"--and at the word a blush stole upward from her neck to her brow, "need I go on the instant, if your men can be trusted not to talk, my lord."
"He is soon without a tongue," he replied grimly, "who talks too fast here! You should know that of old."