“Do you mean that?”
“Where I go is of no consequence to any one. I have to convince you of your mistake. I will go to Brabinsk. I have to save you.”
“You have no secret purpose in this?”
“Is that fair? If you need it, I give you my word of honour to act exactly as you wish—except in regard to those papers. I am resolved they shall not be used.”
“But you will be missed. You cannot stay away. You—oh, this is madness, too, surely!”
“You are wasting time.”
She thought quickly; then smiled bitterly and shook her head.
“No, monsieur, thank you. I do not walk open-eyed into a trap, however cleverly laid. You know I must take the papers with me, and reckon to get them by the way.”
“That is a suspicion worthy perhaps of—M. Drexel. I do not thank you for it. I am not such a mean cad. But that you may feel safe, you can travel alone in the carriage and I will ride with, say, M. Boreski’s messenger or any one you can trust to guide me.”
“I am sorry for what I said. I do not think it; indeed I do not, monsieur.”