I must have your answer. Are there not many, many reasons
why you should give me your promise?"
"You will come to this lower level of bargaining," said Barbara.
"I have no choice."
"I have shown you a wise road to take," she answered; "wait until you
come back from Dorsetshire."
"I cannot wait."
"Then if we bargain, Lord Rosmore, you must remember that there are
always two sides to a bargain. You do not show me Martin Fairley a free
man."
"I can hardly set free a man I have not taken prisoner. Martin and the
highwayman succeeded in getting away from the Abbey last night. Until we
saw you leaning from your window, Sir John was absurd enough to declare
that you must have warned them."
"My uncle seems strangely anxious to make a rebel of me," said Barbara.
"I hold to our bond. Martin Fairley is not here, therefore I give no
promise this morning."
"I do not remember agreeing to such a bargain," said Rosmore.
"It pleases me," said Barbara, "and helps me to forget that you began by
threatening me. I am not a woman to be frightened by a threat."
"Then you will give me no promise?"
"No; but if you persist I will give you an answer, and promise that it
shall be a final one.
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