“If you knew it, you would recognize the truth of what I have said. But if you will take advice, you will use those next few hours to be many leagues on your way to England.”
“I will go when I said—when the concessions are actually in the possession of those who seek them. Not one hour, not one minute before.”
She was silent for a while and then for the first time since I had rejoined her she sat forward and looked at me. “Once in those days when we met in Paris, you said you would do anything I asked you? Does that promise hold good now?”
“Yes.”
“Then I wish you to leave Lisbon at once.”
I shook my head. “No, anything but that.”
“I was afraid,” she murmured, and leant back in her seat, with a sigh of despair; and we both remained silent.
Some time later the skipper’s voice roused me. “We shall drop anchor in about quarter of an hour, Mr. Donnington,” he said as he passed.
Miralda rose with a sigh, started to leave me and then returned.
“There is one thing you spoke of which I must make clear. I am no revolutionary, as you hinted, but I am not free. I have been compromised against my will and I cannot break the bonds. But don’t think me a rebel, because you see me associated with those who are.”