The Schneyer/Perdue version given by Joe Offer (06 Jan 08 - 01:39 AM) makes sense. The singer falls in love with the man, but he's involved with Lady Mary and he somehow dies. If Lady Mary can't get anywhere with him either (as in the Baez/Durham version) the lyrics make little sense and the song becomes confusing.

I think she's a prostitute who has fallen in love with a customer. Otherwise why mention a fee? The kiss is her fee, but why should she mention a fee at all, unless she normally charges?