ance. If, on the other hand, he quarrelled openly
with Fontelles, he must face the consequences he feared or incur
Barbara's unmeasured scorn. He could not solve the puzzle and determined
to seek a respite.

"I do not doubt your honour, sir," he said. Fontelles bowed gravely.
"But there is more in this matter than you know. I must beg a few hours
for consideration and then I will tell you all openly."

"My orders will not endure much delay."

"You can't take the lady by force."

"I count on the aid of my friends and the King's to persuade her to
accompany me willingly."

I do not know whether the words brought the idea suddenly and as if with
a flash into Carford's head. It may have been there dim and vague
before, but now it was clear. He paused on his way to the door, and
turned back with brightened eyes. He gave a careless laugh, saying,

"My dear Fontelles, you have more than me to reckon with before you take
her away."

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"Why, men in love are hard to reason with, and with fools in love there
is no reasoning at all. Come, I'm your friend, although there is for the
moment a difficulty that keeps us apart. Do you chance to remember our
meeting at Canterbury?"

"Why, very well."

"And a young fellow who talked French to you?" Carford laughed again.
"He disturbed you mightily by calling out----"

"'_Il vient!_'" cried Fontelles, all on the alert.

"Precisely. Well, he may disturb you again."

"By Heaven, then he's here?"

"Why, yes."

"I met him last night! He cried those words to me again. The insolent
rascal! I'll make him pay for it."

"In truth you've a reckoning to settle with him."

"But how does he come into this matter?"

"Insolent still, he's a suitor for Mistress Quinton's hand."

Fontelles gave a scornful shrug of his shoulders; Carford, smiling and
more at ease, watched him. The idea promised well; it would be a stroke
indeed could the quarrel be shifted on to my shoulders, and M. de
Fontelles and I set by the ears; whatever the issue of that difference,
Carford stood to win by it. And I, not he, would be the man to resist
the King's commands.

"But how comes he here?" cried Fontelles.

"The fellow was born here. He is an old neighbour of Mistress Quinton."

"Dangerous then?"

It was Carford's turn to shrug his shoulders, as he said,

"Fools are always dangerous. Well, I'll leave you. I want to think. Only
remember; if you please to be on your guar