as thy liberty, and there is nothing on earth I desire so much as to be thy servant. If thou wilt take me for thy wife, thou art free; if not, thou art still free, only thou dost owe me thy love; which, if thou art long in paying, my heart will be bankrupt and broken." Here she paused anxiously. Christian replied, "Dear lady, I am neither blind, nor ungrateful; for I see thy beauty, and feel thy love and affection for me. I take thee at thy word, and will be dutiful to thy delicate affection. I ask not who thou art, for I feel full well thou art honourable." After a short time they parted affectionately, and she went sorrowfully to her council.
Three of the richest men in the king's dominions, and who were of his friendship, had conspired together to deprive the young queen of her rights, and had already taken measures for such proceedings. She, hearing of this, took a priest, and went to Christian's prison and married him. Afterwards, she told him who she was, and of the conspiracy against her crown, saying, "Thy cause is once more in thine own hands: besides, thou art to struggle for a crown, and for me, thy wife. Therefore, by the loves of those people whom thou hast so long served, I conjure thee to be vigilant." She then led him out, and with his three comrades passed
