Page:Cup of Gold-1929.djvu/254

But, dear Elizabeth, there is no crime or sin about it. Many cousins marry. And we know all about each other, and our family is one. You must marry me, Elizabeth. Truly I love you, Elizabeth.”

“Oh!” she stammered. “O-oh! I cannot think of it. I mean, I am—ill; I mean—my head whirls. You act so suddenly, Henry—so unexpectedly. Oh, please let me go. I must talk about it to Lady Moddyford. She will know what to say.”

King Charles the Second and John Evelyn were sitting in a tiny library. A bright fire crackled on the hearth, throwing its flickerings on the books which lined the walls. On a table beside the two men were bottles and glasses.

“I knighted him this afternoon,” the King was saying. “He got pardon and a knighthood for two thousand pounds.”

“Well, two thousand pounds—” murmured John Evelyn, “Certain tradesmen will, perhaps, bless his knighthood.”

“But that’s not it, John. I could have got twenty. He took about a million out of Panama.”

“Ah, well; two thousand pounds—”

“I ordered him to come in here to-night,” said the King. “These sailors and pirates sometimes have a tale or two worth repeating. You'll be disappointed in him. He is—lumpish, I think is the word. You get the impression that a great