amel. Purposely he waited
before he replied, and was gratified to see how curiously she regarded
him when again his glance returned to her.

"No, Madam," he answered, taking credit to himself for his diplomacy,
"it is not necessary that truth should be premeditated. I had a
serious purpose in seeking you. Of all the court you alone can assist
me; it is to you, only, I can look for aid. Knowing you generous, I
have ventured to come."

"What a serious preamble," smiled the lady. "How grave must be the
matter behind it!"

"The service I ask must be from the king," he went on, with seeming
embarrassment.

"Then why not go to his Majesty?" she interrupted, with the suggestion
of a frown.

"Because I should fail," he retorted, frankly. "The case is one
wherein a messenger--like yourself--a friend--may I so call you?--would
win, while I, a rough soldier, should but make myself ridiculous, the
laughing stock of the court."

"You interest me," she laughed. "It must be a pressing emergency when
you honor me--so early in the day."

"It is, Madam," he replied. "Very pressing to me. I want the wedding
day changed."

"Changed!" she exclaimed, staring at him. "Deferred?"

"No; hastened, Madam. It is too long to wait. Go to the king; ask him
to shorten the interval; to set the day sooner. I beg of you, Madam!"

His voice was hard and harsh. It seemed almost a demand he laid upon
her. Had he been less blunt or coercive, had he employed a more
honeyed appeal, she would not have felt so moved in his behalf. In the
atmosphere of adulation and blandishment to which she was accustomed,
the free baron offered a marked contrast to the fine-spoken courtiers,
and she leaned back and surveyed him as though he were a type of the
lords of creation she had not yet investigated.

"Oh, this is delicious!" purred the countess. "Samson in the toils!
His locks shorn by our fair Delilah!"

The thick-set soldier arose; muscular, well-knit, virile. "I fear I am
detaining you, Madam," he said, coldly.

"No; you're not," she answered, merrily. "Won't you be seated--please!
I should have known," she could not resist adding, "that love is as
sensitive as impatient."

"I see, Madam, that you have your mind made up to refuse me, and
therefore--"

"Refuse," repeated the favorite, surveying this unique petitioner with
rising amusement. "How do you read my mind so well?"

"Then you haven't determined to refuse me?" And he s