"I have long solicited an interview where we should not be liable to
interruption. Grant me that, and I will conceal nothing."

"Thou dost grant nothing without a condition. I do not know," she
added, tossing her head, "whether I care anything, after all, about
this mystery. I dare say there is nothing in it, and, as you say, it
concerns me not."

"Be not angry, sweet Prudence. Ask, and I will answer all thy
questions."

"You know, too, how much I would do to pleasure you," sighed Prudence.
"Ah! me, how weak a thing is a woman's heart."

"Then you will not deny me? Know then that letters have arrived from
England, charging this knight, or pretended knight, with diverse grave
offences."

"And what may they be?" inquired the girl.

"He is complained of as a fugitive from justice," answered Spikeman,
who meant to communicate no more information than he was obliged to.

"The sweet, handsome gentleman! I do not believe he ever harmed any
one. But what did he?"

"Of that I am not positively informed, not having seen the epistles,
they being addressed to private persons."

"Have they anything against Master Miles, too?" asked Prudence.