"It is for my sake; but it will break my heart."
"Mona! what are you going to say to me?"
"I want you to leave Ireland—not next month, or next week, but at once. To-morrow, if possible."
"My darling, why?"
"Because you are not safe here: your life is in danger. Once Ryan is recovered, he will not be content to see you living, knowing his life is in your hands; every hour you will be in danger. Whatever it may cost me, you must go."
"That's awful nonsense, you know," says Rodney, lightly. "When he sees I haven't taken any steps about arresting him, he will forget all about it, and bear no further ill will."
"You don't understand this people as I do. I tell you he will never forgive his downfall the other night, or the thought that he is in your power."
"Well, at all events I shan't go one moment before I said I should," says Rodney.
"It is now my turn to demand obedience," says Mona, with a little wan attempt at a smile. "Will you make every hour of my life unhappy? Can I live in the thought that each minute may bring me evil news of you,—may bring me tidings of your death?" Here she gives way to a passionate burst of grief, and clings closer to him, as though with her soft arms to shield him from all danger. Her tears touch him.
"Well, I will go," he says, "on one condition,—that you come with me."