"I was arrested, but had no difficulty in explaining matters." I did not say anything about the attempt on my life, not wishing to alarm her.
"I was sure there was trouble," she cried in distress. "I have brought so much to you already."
"To-morrow we shall just smile at it all. I am absolutely confident, Althea."
"I cannot smile yet, Paul, nor be confident either. I could almost wish----"
I gathered her in my arms. "You must never harbour that thought again, dearest. Never if you love me."
"You would at least be safe; and the thought of your danger chills me with dread every minute you are away."
"But the mere fact that I have been in the hands of the police within the last hour and am here now at your side may tell you there is no such danger as you fear. You do but frighten yourself with shadows. If there had been any real trouble such as you fear, they would have detained me."
"I cannot help it, Paul. If it were only myself I should not care," she said with a heavy sigh.
"Keep this in your thoughts then. Bessie has taken with her something which would cut the knot of our difficulties were it twenty times worse than it is. But now what of yourself? Will you stay here alone, or go to Chalice?"
"Stay here. My father may return. I shall wait up all night for him."