Yet not one word said she, for she could not; but her beauty, glowing and quivering under his eyes' great fire, answered enough.
"Were it not that I fear for your sake the beast you ride," he said, "I would lay my hand upon his bridle, that I might crush your hand in mine.
At post-haste I have come from France, hearing this thing--that you endangered every day that which I love so madly.

My God! beloved, cruel, cruel woman--sure you must know!" She answered with a breathless wild surrender.

"Yes, yes!" she gasped, "I know." "And yet you braved this danger, knowing that you might leave me a widowed man for life." "But," she said, with a smile whose melting radiance seemed akin to tears--"but see how I have beaten him--and all is passed." "Yes, yes," he said, "as you have conquered all--as you have conquered me--and did from the first hour.

But God forbid that you should make me suffer so again." "Your Grace," she said, faltering, "I--I will not!" "Forgive me for the tempest of my passion," he said.

"'Twas not thus I had thought to come to make my suit.