“It is a crime to leave the innocent to undeserved death,” she said.

“Do you love the fellow?” he cried, with a voice rising to a shout of rage.

“Yes,” she said firmly.

“Why did not you say so before?”

“Because I hoped to see you act for right and justice sake,” was Anne’s answer, fixing her eyes on him.  “For God’s sake, not mine.”

“Yours indeed!  Think, what can be his love to mine?  He who let them marry him to that child, while I struggled and gave up everything.  Then he runs away—­runs away—­leaving you all the distress; never came near you all these years.  Oh yes! he looks down on you as his child’s governess!  What’s the use of loving him?  There’s another heiress bespoken for him no doubt.”

“No.  His parents consent, and we have known one another’s love for six years.”

“Oh, that’s the way he bound you to keep his secret!  He would sing another song as soon as he was out of this scrape.”

“You little know!” was all she said.

“Ay!” continued Peregrine, pacing up and down the room, “you know that all that was wanting to fill up the measure of my hatred was that he should have stolen your heart.”

“You cannot say that, sir.  He was my kind protector and helper from our very childhood.  I have loved him with all my heart ever since I durst.”

“Ay, the great straight comely lubbers have it all their own way with the women,” said he bitterly.  “I remember how he rushed headlong at me with the horse-whip when I tripped you up at the Slype, and you have never forgiven that.”

“Oh! indeed I forgot that childish nonsense long ago.  You never served me so again.”

“No indeed, never since you and your mother were the first to treat me like a human being.  You will be able to do anything with me, sweetest lady; the very sense that you are under the same roof makes another man of me.  I loathe what I used to enjoy.  Why, the very sight of you, sitting at supper like the lady in Comus, in your sweet grave dignity, made me feel what I am, and what those men are.  I heard their jests with your innocent ears.  With you by my side the Devil’s power is quelled.  You shall have a peaceful beneficent life among the poor folk, who will bless you; our good and gracious Queen will welcome you with joy and gratitude; and when the good time comes, as it must in a few years, you will have honours and dignities lavished on you.  Can you not see what you will do for me?”

“Do you think a broken-hearted victim would be able to do you any good?” said she, looking up with tears in her eyes.  “I do believe, sir, that you mean well by me, in your own way, and I could, yes, I can, be sorry for you, for my mother did feel for you, and yours has been a sad life; but how could I be of any use or comfort to you if you dragged me away as these cruel men propose, knowing that he who has all my heart is dying guiltless, and thinking I have failed him!” and here she broke down in an agony of weeping, as she felt the old power in his eyes that enforced submission.