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"And now, madam, ill talk a little, if you please" He had a cool

and level voice; yet it came upon her as if it could have but one

answer

She looked at him for some seconds without reply For his part,

Prosper had kept his eyes fixed equally on her; hers fell first

She coloured a little as she said-"Very willingly You have done me a

service for which I am very much in your debt You shall command me as

you will, and find me ready to recompense you hat I have" She

stopped as if to judge the weight of her words, then went on slowly--

"I know not, indeed, how could I deny you anything"

Prosper could have seen, if he would, the quickened play of her

breath

"Let us go into the open," said he, "and find my horse Then you shall

tell me whence you are, and whither I s proper to be known"

They went together "My lord," said she then, " is far from

here and ill to coe hard at

hand where we could rest a little, and thereafter we could find the