“My presence here is that I may speak with thee!”

“Thou art polite.”

“Thou hast invited me to thy table—wilt thou be my guest?”

Here the first evidence of fear showed itself, in nervously tearing a candle from its socket and quickly walking round the visitor. As he ended that tour, he trembled, and the wax-light fell from his hand.

But he suddenly seemed to find fresh courage, and he flung himself easily into a chair.

“Wilt thou be my guest?”

“By the rood, master, say thou we are engaged.”

“I will come with thee; I will be thy guest. I never yet feared; I never will.”

“Then thou acceptest?”

“Good master, if you love me, say no. This master of mine will surely destroy me.”