siege."

She turned to him, having guessed already the proposal in his mind, and
for all that at first her eyes looked startled, yet presently they
kindled to a light of daring that augured well for a very stout
adventure. It was a wildly romantic notion, this of Gonzaga's, worthy of
a poet's perfervid brain, and yet it attracted her by its unprecedented
flavour.

"Could it be done?" she wondered, her eyes sparkling at the anticipation
of such a deed.

"It could, indeed it could," he answered, with an eagerness no whit less
than her own. "Immure yourself in Roccaleone, and thence hurl defiance
at Urbino and Babbiano, refusing to surrender until they grant your
terms--that you are to marry as you list."

"And you will help me in this?" she questioned, her mind--in its
innocence--inclining more and more to the mad project.

"With all my strength and wit," he answered, readily and gallantly. "I
will so victual the place that it shall be able to stand siege for a
whole year, should the need arise, and I will find you the men to arm it
--a score will, I should think, be ample for our needs, since it is
mainly upon the natural strength of the place that we rely."

"And then," said she, "I shall need a captain."

Gonzaga made her a low bow.