caught my ear,
and, turning my head, I saw Carford on the lowest step of the stairs; he
was looking at the pair, and a moment later stepped backwards, till he
was almost hidden from my sight, though I could still make out the shape
of his figure. A cry of triumph from Monmouth echoed low but intense
through the hall; he had caught the elusive hand and was kissing it
passionately. Barbara stood still and stiff. The Duke, keeping her hand
still in his, said mockingly:

"You pretty fool, would you refuse fortune? Hark, madame, I am a King's
son."

I saw no movement in her, but the light was dim. He went on, lowering
his voice a little, yet not much.

"And I may be a King; stranger things have come to pass. Wouldn't you
like to be a Queen?" He laughed as he put the question; he lacked the
care or the cunning to make even a show of honesty.

"Let me go," I heard her whisper in a strained, timid voice.

"Well, for to-night you shall go, sweetheart, but not without a kiss, I
swear."

She was frightened now and sought to propitiate him, saying gently and
with attempted lightness,

"Your Grace has my hand prisoner. You can work your will on it."

"Your hand! I mean your lips this time," he cried in audacious
insolence. He came nearer to her, his arm crept round her waist. I had
endured what I could, yes, and as long as I could; for I was persuaded
that I could serve her better by leaving her unaided for the moment. But
my limit was reached; I stepped out from behind the chair. But in an
instant I was back again. Monmouth had paused; in one hand he held
Barbara's hand, the other rested on her girdle, but he turned his head
and looked at the stairs. Voices had come from there; he had heard them
as I had, as Barbara had.

"You can't pass out," had come in a blustering tone from Carford.

"Stand aside, sir," was the answer in a calm, imperative voice.

Carford hesitated for a single instant, then he seemed to shrink away,
making himself small and leaving free passage for a man who came down
the steps and walked confidently and briskly across the hall towards
where the Duke stood with Barbara.

Above us, at the top of the stairs, there were the sound of voices and
the tread of feet. The conference was broken up and the parties to it
were talking in the passage on their way to regain their own apartments.
I paid no heed to them; my eyes were fixed on the intruder who came so
boldly and unabashed up to the Duke. I knew