n prove to you. Moreover, I
am rich, for this money that I have advanced to you, or to the lord
Deleroy, is but a small part of my wealth which grows day by day through
honest trade. Sir, if my suit were accepted I should be ready, not only
to help you further on certain terms, but by deed and will to settle
most of it upon the lady Blanche and upon our children. Sir, what say
you?"

Sir Robert tugged at his red beard and stared down at the floor.
Presently he lifted his head and I saw that his face was troubled, the
face of a man, indeed, who is struggling with himself, or, as I thought,
with his pride.

"A fair offer fairly put," he said, "but the question is, not what I
say, but what says Blanche."

"Sir, I do not know who have never asked her. Yet at times I have
thought that her mind towards me is not unkind."

"Is it so? Well, perhaps now that he--well, let that lie. Master
Hastings, you have my leave to try your fortune and I tell you straight
that I hope it will be good. With your wealth your rank may be soon
mended and you are an honest man whom I should be glad to welcome as a
son, for I have had enough of these Court knaves and painted Jezebels.
But if such is your fancy towards Blanche, my counsel to you is that you
put it quickly to the proof--aye, man, at once. Mark my words, for such
a swan as she is many snares are set beneath the dirty waters of this
Court."

"The sooner the better, sir."

"Good. I'll send her to you and, one word more--be not over shy, or
ready to take the first 'no' for an answer, or to listen to the tale of
bygone fancies, such as all women have."

Then suddenly he went, leaving me there wondering at his words and
manner, which I did not understand. This I understood, however, that he
desired that I should marry Blanche, which considering all things I held
somewhat strange, although I had the wealth she lacked. Doubtless, I
thought, it must be because his honour had been touched on the matter
of the trick that had been played upon him without his knowledge. Then I
ceased from these wonderings and gave my thought to what I should say to
Blanche.

I waited a long while and still she did not come, till at last I
believed that she was away from the house, or guessing my business, had
refused to see me. At length, however, she entered the room, so silently
that I who was staring at the great abbey through a window-place never
heard the door open or close. I think that some sens