‘Do you know your danger in being here?’ she asked, as she surrendered her hand to his grasp.
‘I know it all, and this moment repays it tenfold.’
‘You cannot know the full extent of the peril; you cannot know that Captain Curtis and his people are in the castle at this moment, that they are in full cry after you, and that every avenue to this spot is watched and guarded.’
‘What care I! Have I not this?’ And he covered her hand with kisses.
‘Every moment that you are here increases your danger, and if my absence should become known, there will be a search after me. I shall never forgive myself if my folly should lead to your being captured.’
‘If I could but feel my fate was linked with yours, I’d give my life for it willingly.’
‘It was not to listen to such words as these I came here.’
‘Remember, dearest, they are the last confessions of one you shall never see more. They are the last cry of a heart that will soon be still for ever.’
‘No, no, no!’ cried she passionately. ‘There is life enough left for you to win a worthy name. Listen to me calmly now: I have heard from Curtis within the last hour all his plans for your capture; I know where his patrols are stationed, and the roads they are to watch.’
‘And did you care to do this?’ said he tenderly.