At first Mistress Barbara was merry with him, fencing and parrying, in confidence that he would use no roughness nor an undue vehemence.

But on he went; and presently a note of alarm sounded in her voice as she prayed him to suffer her to depart and return to the Duchess, who must have need of her.
"Nay, I won't let you go, sweet mistress.

Rather, I can't let you go." "Indeed, sir, I must go," she said.

"Come, I will call my Lord Carford, to aid me in persuading your Grace." He laughed at the suggestion that a call for Carford would hinder him.
"He won't come," he said; "and if he came, he would be my ally, not yours." She answered now haughtily and coldly: "Sir, Lord Carford is a suitor for my hand.

It is in your Grace's knowledge that he is." "But he thinks a hand none the worse because I've kissed it," retorted Monmouth.