instant. This was growing
dangerous again, so, catching himself, he turned the conversation
back into the bantering vein.

"Ah! you want to pay the debt that I may have no excuse to remain? Is
that it? Perhaps you are not so kind after all."

"No! no! you know better. But let me pay the debt. How much is it and
to whom is it owing? Tell me at once, I command you."

"No! no! Lady Mary, I cannot."

"Please do. I beg--if I cannot command. Now I know you will; you would
not make me _beg_ twice for anything?" She drew closer to him as she
spoke and put her hand coaxingly upon his arm. With an irresistible
impulse he took the hand in his and lifted it to his lips in a
lingering caress that could not be mistaken. It was all so quick and
so full of fire and meaning that Mary took fright, and the princess,
for the moment, came uppermost.

"Master Brandon!" she exclaimed sharply, and drew away her hand.
Brandon dropped the hand and moved over on the seat. He did not speak,
but turned his face from her and looked out of the window toward the
river. Thus they sat in silence, Brandon's hand resting listlessly
upon the cushion between them. Mary saw the eloquent movement away
from her and his speaking attitude, with averted face; then the
princess went into eclipse, and the imperial woman was ascendant once
more. She looked at him for a brief space with softening eyes, and,
lifting her hand, put it back in his, saying:

"There it is again--if you want it."

Want it? Ah! this was too much! The hand would not satisfy now; it
must be all, all! And he caught her to his arms with a violence that
frightened her.

"Please don't, please! Not this time. Ah! have mercy, Charl--Well!
There!... There!... Mary mother, forgive me." Then her woman spirit
fell before the whirlwind of his passion, and she was on his breast
with her white arms around his neck, paying the same tribute to the
little blind god that he would have exacted from the lowliest maiden
of the land. Just as though it were not the blood of fifty kings and
queens that made so red and sweet, aye, sweet as nectar thrice
distilled, those lips which now so freely paid their dues in coined
bliss.

Brandon held the girl for a moment or two, then fell upon his knees
and buried his face in her lap.

"Heaven help me!" he cried.

She pushed the hair back from his forehead with her hand and as she
fondled the curls, leaned over him and softly whispered:

"Heaven help us both