With a half-laugh and a courtier manner, he continued, "Of two evils, madam, we must choose the lesser one." "Madam," she echoed, disregarding all else that he had said.

"It is an ugly word, and but a moment back you called me Cynthia." "Twas a liberty that methought my grey hairs warranted, and for which you should have reproved me." "You have not grey hairs enough to warrant it, Sir Crispin," she answered archly.

"But what if even so I account it no liberty ?" The heavy lids were lifted from her eyes, and as their glance, frank and kindly, met his, he trembled.

Then, with a polite smile, he bowed.
"I thank you for the honour." For a moment she looked at him in a puzzled way, then moved past him, and as he stood, stiffly erect, watching her graceful figure, he thought that she was about to leave him, and was glad of it.

But ere she had taken half a dozen steps: "Sir Crispin," said she, looking back at him over her shoulder, "I am walking to the cliffs." Never was a man more plainly invited to become an escort; but he ignored it.