He took the letter with one hand, his other hand still retaining its
grasp upon hers.
"I go," said Quincy, assuming a bantering tone, "upon your quest, fair
lady. If I return victorious, what shall be my reward?"
"Gallant knights," said Alice, as she withdrew her hand from his, "do
not bargain for their reward until they have fulfilled their trust."
"I accept the reproof," said Quincy gravely.
"It was not so intended, Sir Knight," responded Alice brightly; "so I
will make amends by answering your query. If you return successful, tell
me what you would prize the most, and even if it be half my kingdom, it
shall be yours."
"I am content, but modern locomotives do not wait even for gallant
knights of old. So adieu."
He quitted the room, and Alice stood where he had left her until she
heard the rumble of wheels as he drove off for the station; then she
found her way to her chair before the fire, and her mind wove the
outline of a romantic story, in which there was a gallant knight and a
lovely maiden. But in her story the prize that the knight asked when he
returned successful from his quest was the heart and hand of the lovely
maiden.
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