"Oh!" she cried. "Is it possible? I thought I was in the hands of some highwayman. Is this your doing, sir? I was told that you were a gentleman."
He bowed low, and began a little speech which he had prepared in readiness:
"Madam, you will confess that you are yourself alone to blame. Fired with the sight of so much loveliness, what wonder if I aspired to possess myself of these charms. Sure a Laplander himself would be warmed, even in his frozen region."
"Sir, what nonsense is this? What do you mean?"
"I mean, madam, that your lovely face and figure are sufficient excuse, not only in the eyes of the world, but in your own eyes, for an action such as this. The violence of the passion which——"
"Sir, will you order your fellows to take me back?"
"No, madam, I will not."
"Then, sir, will you tell me what you propose to do?"
"I intend to marry you."
"Against my consent?"