highwayman was some one of
London's gallants seeking a new amusement. Surely it is easy to fit
that surmise to Lord Farquhart. 'Twould be easy with even less
assistance than Lord Farquhart has given us."

"But what would it profit us to be rid of Lord Farquhart--granting
that he is this--this gentleman of the highways?" The Lady Barbara's
eyes were still on her rings. She did not lift them to the man who
stood so near her.

"Profit us!" he cried. "It would give you to me. It would permit you
to marry me--if Lord Farquhart were out of the way. What else stands
between us?"

"No," she murmured, in a low, faint voice, her eyes still on the
jewels in her hands. "'Tis not my Lord Farquhart stands between us,
but your poverty and my father's will. How can we marry when you have
nothing, when I would have less than nothing if I defied my father?
No, I intend to marry Lord Farquhart, whatever he may be."

Ashley's eyes questioned her, but his lips did not move. And she,
although she did not raise her eyes to his, knew what his asked. And
yet, for several moments, she did not answer. Then, flinging the rings
from her, she sprang to her feet.

"Why not take this chance that's flung to us, Hal?" she cried. "Can't
you see what we have won? Why, Lord Farquhart's life is forfeit to
_us_ so long as we hold his secret. A pretty dance we can lead him at
the end of our own rope, and we'll have but to twitch a finger to show
him that we'll transfer the end to the proper authority if he dares to
interfere with our pleasures!"

"But, Barbara!" The man was, indeed, as shaken as his voice. He had
found it hard enough to credit the evidence of ears and eyes that
proved to him that Lord Farquhart was the Black Devil of the London
highways, but harder yet was it to believe that Barbara, the
unsophisticated country girl, was versed in all the knowledge and
diplomacy of a London _mondaine_.

"Don't 'but Barbara' me," she cried, impatiently. "I'll not be tied
down any longer. I must be free, free, free! All my life long I've
been in bondage to my father's will. Now, in a fortnight's time I can
be free--controlled by no will but my own. Can you not see how this
act of Lord Farquhart's throws him into my power? How it gives me my
freedom forever?"

"But you'd consent to marry this common highwayman?" Incredulity held
each of Ashley's words.

"Ay, I'd marry a common highwayman for the same gain." The Lady
Barbara's violet eyes were black