“And you will break faith with him and save me?” asked Virginia, anxiously.
“Yes.”
“Heaven will surely bless you for the act!” cried Virginia, quickly.
“Perhaps I may need that blessing,” said Kate, earnestly.
“I am sure that you do not!” exclaimed Virginia, impulsively. “I read in your face that your heart is good and noble, and I am sure that your face does not deceive me.”
“I will try and keep faith with you. I have promised one who loves you dearly, that, if you were within a hundred miles of the Ohio, neither swamp nor wood, house nor wigwam should hide you from me. I have kept that promise and have found you. But one more task remains for me to do and that is, to save you from the perils that now surround you, and give you safe and unharmed into his arms.”
Virginia listened with wonder to this strange speech.
“One who loves me dearly?”
“Yes, better far, I think, than he does his own life.”
“I can not understand,” said Virginia, bewildered.