"Yes, you must by all means come to London," she went on, patting my arm.

"Is not Mistress Barbara in London?
And I think--am I wrong, Simon ?--that there is something for which you will want to ask her pardon." "If I come to London, it is for you and you only that I shall come," I cried.
"No, no.

You will come to love where the King loves, to know what he hides, and to drink of his cup.

I, sir, cannot interfere with your great destiny"; she drew away from me, curtseyed low, and stood opposite to me, smiling.
"For you and for you only," I repeated.
"Then will the King love me ?" she asked.
"God forbid," said I fervently.
"Oh, and why, pray, your 'God forbid'?
You're very ready with your 'God forbids.' Am I then to take your love sooner than the King's, Master Simon ?" "Mine is an honest love," said I soberly.
"Oh, I should doat on the country, if everybody didn't talk of his honesty there! I have seen the King in London and he is a fine gentleman." "And you have seen the Queen also, may be ?" "In truth, yes.

Ah, I have shocked you, Simon?
Well, I was wrong.