"Yes. But do not press me farther. Wait till the light comes. Shall we live till then?"
"I hope so."
"Will you promise me to keep near me till daylight comes? It is my dearest wish--my only one."
"I promise," he said, strangely agitated, "until my duty calls me away."
"And even then, you will come back when you have done your task, and stand by my side?"
"I will, my poor girl. I have come now to bring you to the captain's lady."
"She sent you for me?"
"Yes."
"She is a good lady. But wait a little; I have something to say first." Many moments passed before she spoke again, and in the pause a grateful prayer went up from the girl's heart even for the small blessing of gentle speech from her hero's lips. "You have made me very, very happy. Until tonight--for many, many months past--I have been most unhappy." She bent her lips to his hand and kissed it. "Now answer me. We are in great peril?"
"The greatest, I fear."