“But while you live no one can harm the child,” she said. There was inquiry in her tone, I thought.
I suppressed a start of surprise. I had avoided mention of the boy. Henry had trusted Mrs. Knapp further than I had dreamed.
“He shall never be given up by me,” I replied with conviction.
“That is spoken like a true, brave man,” said Mrs. Knapp with an admiring look.
“Thank you,” I said modestly.
“Another life than yours depends on your skill and courage. That must give you strength,” she said softly.
“It does indeed,” I replied. I was thinking of Doddridge Knapp's life.
“But here come Luella and Mrs. Bowser,” said Mrs. Knapp. “I see I shall lose your company.”
My heart gave a great bound, and I turned to see the queenly grace of Luella Knapp as she entered the room in the train of Mrs. Bowser.
Vows of justice and vengeance, visions of danger and death, faded away as I looked once more on the mobile, expressive face of the girl who had claimed so great a share of my waking thoughts and filled my dreams from the first moment her spirit had flashed on mine. I rose and my eyes followed her eagerly as I stood by the curtain of the alcove, oblivious of all else in the room.