I answered her gaze with a steady regard, and her cheek grew red with a hot blush.
"His motive you may guess," said I."There is convenience in a husband." I had put it at last plainly enough, and when I had said it I averted my eyes from hers.
"I won't go," I heard her gasp.

"I'll throw myself at the King's feet." "He'll make a clever jest on you," said I bitterly.
"I'll implore M.de Perrencourt----" "His answer will be--polite." For a while there was silence.

Then she spoke again in a low whisper; her voice now sounded hard and cold, and she stood rigid.
"Who is the man ?" she asked.

Then she broke into a sudden passion, and, forgetting caution, seized me by the arm, whispering, "Have you your sword ?" "Aye, it is here." "Will you use it for me ?" "At your bidding." "Then use it on the body of the man." "I'm the man," said I.
"You, Simon!" Now what a poor thing is this writing, and how small a fragment of truth can it hold! "You, Simon!" The words are nothing, but they came from her lips full-charged with wonder, most incredulous, yet coloured with sudden hope of deliverance.

She doubted, yet she caught at the strange chance.