"Count Poltavo," she said, in a low, clear tone, "do you remember giving me this ring?"
"Yes." His face had paled slightly, and a light came into his eyes.
"And—and the pledge which I made you then?"
"I recall no pledge, dear lady."
She gave him a wide, deep look.
"I bound myself to answer any question you should wish to ask—if you should save my father from Mr. Baggin. Yesterday, that came to pass. During a lucid interval in the night, my father"—her voice quivered on the word—"spoke of you, but brokenly, and I did not completely understand until you set the guard about his door."
The count made as if to speak, but she raised a protesting hand. "So now you have fulfilled your pledge to me, and I"—she lifted her head proudly—"stand ready to redeem mine."
He looked at her strangely. "You would marry me?"
"Yes."
Her lips articulated the word with difficulty. Her eyes were upon her hands, and her hands plaited nervously a fold of her white gown.