'At least, may I learn whether I can, in any manner, repay it?'
No reply.
'You said, I think, that you had just escaped from confinement?'
No reply.
'You will stain your beautiful locks,' said he: 'my blood should flow to defend, but shall not flow to disfigure them. Permit me to collect those charming tresses.'
'Oh! dear, thank you, Sir!' stammered I.
'And thank you, ten thousand times,' said he, as I finished my disagreeable task; 'and now never will I quit you till I see you safe to your friends.'
'You!' exclaimed I. 'Ah, traitor!'
He gazed at me with a look of pity. 'Farewell then, my kind preserver,' said he; ''tis a long way to the next habitation, and should my wound open afresh and should I faint from loss of blood——'
'Dear me,' said I, 'let me assist you.'