Then she looked at me wickedly.
"You and your lady are ready to face the perils of the road ?" "Her peril is greater here, and mine as great." "The King's pursuit, Monmouth's rage, soldiers, officers, footpads ?" "A fig for them all!" "Another peril ?" "For her or for me ?" "Why, for both, good Simon.

Don't you understand! See then!" She came near to me, smiling most saucily, and pursing her lips together as though she meant to kiss me.
"If I were vowed to the lady, I should fear the test," said I, "but I am free." "Where is she ?" asked Nell, letting my answer pass with a pout.
"By your very door." "Let's have her in," cried Nell, and straightway she ran into the alley.
I followed, and came up with her just as she reached Barbara.

Barbara leant no more against the wall, but lay huddled at the foot of it.
Weariness and hunger had overcome her; she was in a faint, her lips colourless and her eyes closed.

Nell dropped beside her, murmuring low, soft consolations.

I stood by in awkward helplessness.