As she did not at once find words to stop his speech, he whispered on:
'I have gold enow to buy me a baron's fee in Almain. I have been there: in castles in the thick woods, silken bowers may be built----'
But suddenly again he rose to his feet and laughed:
'Why,' he said, 'I hunger for thee: at times 'tis a madness. But 'tis past.'
His eyes twinkled again and he waved a hand.
'Mayhap 'tis well that ye go to the Queen,' he said drily. 'If the Queen say, "Yea," ye ha' gained all; if "Nay" ye ha' lost naught, for ye may alway change your mind. And a true and steadfast cause, a large and godly innocence is a thing that gaineth men's hearts and voices.' He paused for a moment. 'Ye ha' need o' man's good words,' he said drily; then he laughed again. 'Aye: _Nolo episcopari_ was always a good cry,' he said.
'Ye know my aims are other,' she said, 'or else you would not love me. I think ye love me better than any man ever did--though I ha' had a store of lovers.'
'Aye,' he nodded at her gravely, 'it is pleasant to be loved.'
She was sitting by her table and leant her hand upon her cheek; she had been sewing a white band with pearls and silken roses in red and leaves in green, and it fell now to her feet from her lap. Suddenly he said:
She did not move, for a feeling of languor that often overcame her in Throckmorton's presence made her feel lazy and apt to listen. She itched to be Queen--on the morrow or next day; she desired to have the King for her own, to wear fair gowns and a crown; to be beloved of the poor people and beloved of the saints. But her fate lay upon the knees of the gods then: on the morrow the Queen would speak--betwixt then and now there was naught for it but to rest. And to hearken to Throckmorton was to be surprised as if she listened at a comedy.
'One question of three may be answered,' she said.
'On the forfeit of a kiss,' he added. 'I pray God ye answer none.'
He pondered for a moment, and leaning back against the chimney-piece crossed one silk-stockinged, thin, red leg. He spoke very swiftly, so that his words were like lightning.
'And the first is: An ye had never come here but elsewhere seen me, had ye it in you to ha' loved me? And the second: How ye love the King's person? And the third: Were ye your cousin's leman?'