"Would have been little proof against a man's sword-thrust in the dark," said Nigel sternly.
"I will not run such a risk again," she said with humility, "unless it be to save you!"
"Foolish princess!" he rejoined, and held her suddenly in his arms. "You are bewitched! And so am I." This time there was no pretence of offering a cheek. It was a fortunate dark shadow in which they stood, and lips levied toll of lips, and were not satisfied with the rate of customs. Heart beat to heart and beat the more, but Nigel's reverence for her, for all he held her so closely, was as high as her greatness of soul.
"It is enough, tall captain, and yet not enough. But our plans! We have already spent a foolish hour and made no plans."
Her warning tumbled Nigel headlong out of his tower to an ungrateful earth. Plans to what end?
"Oh, Stephanie! My princess! To-morrow or the next day or the next I must set out for Tilly's army. A plan to see you, to hold you, what need I but this key and your sweet graciousness?"
"Once to meet you in my orchard close! Once was easy and possible. But do you think we could meet twice and not be spied upon. I know the palace of Vienna and its ways as you can never know them. Spies of Father Lamormain, hirelings of Maximilian's, hirelings of France and Spain."
"And your love is a great and precious jewel," said Nigel, "too great, too precious to be jeopardised."
"If you would wear it and me forever," ... she murmured, "we must hide it now, peeping at it now and then in secret, till the time is ripe to run the great risk of our lives and proclaim it in the ears of the court and of Europe. Whether it will be a convent or death for me, or death for you and me, for I would die rather than wed Maximilian, or life for both of us, is hidden behind the shadows as the dark encircles us now. But we must not barter our chances for any trifling joy——"
"It is no trifling joy, Stephanie! This, save the mark, is heaven to hold you to my heart."