"But that is deepening my responsibility."
"You are strong enough to bear it."
He shook his head.
"We are both subjects of a King, Jean, whose wishes must come first. You owe an allegiance to Him as well as I. I cannot relieve you of your individual responsibility in the King's service."
"But you can share it," said Jean quickly.
His face brightened.
"Yes, I can do that."
"God's claim will come first with us," said Jean. "I would not have it otherwise. He has led me every step of the way, and I would not have one step altered. But He led you to me, and—"
"And I will never relinquish the charge of you, till He takes you from me," he said tenderly and solemnly.
On the morning before she started for Scotland, Jean received the following letter:—