I looked in her eyes; I think she followed my thoughts, for she glanced aside, and said in visible embarrassment, "Shall we return ?" "You haven't spoken on the matter with my Lord Carford, then ?" I asked.
She hesitated a moment, then answered as though she did not love the truth but must tell it, "Yes; but he said nothing of this.

Tell me of it." So I told her in simple and few words what I had done.
"Lord Carford said nothing of it," she said, when I ended.

Then she added, "But although you will not accept the favour, you have rendered thanks for it ?" "I couldn't find my tongue when I was with the King," I answered with a shamefaced laugh.
"I didn't mean to the King," said Barbara.
It was my turn to colour now; I had not been long enough in town to lose the trick.
"I have seen her," I murmured.
Barbara suddenly made me a curtsey, saying bitterly, "I wish you joy, sir, of your acquaintance." When a man is alone with a beautiful lady, he is apt not to love an intruder; yet on my soul I was glad to see Carford in the doorway.

He came towards us, but before he could speak Barbara cried to him, "My lord, Mr Dale tells me news that will interest you." "Indeed, madame, and what ?" "Why, that he has begged the King's leave to resign his commission.
Doesn't it surprise you ?" He looked at her, at me, and again at her.

He was caught, for I knew that he had been fully acquainted with my purpose.