"This is terrible!" said Sybil with a shudder. "But why should this be so?"
"It is my fate."
"And why do you care for me?"
"I thought I had answered that question in telling you all that I have told about myself, for 'a fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind;' but if you want another reason I can give it to you. I care for you because I know that you are guiltless of the crime for which you are hunted through the world. And I am resolved, come what may, that you shall not suffer for it."
"In the name of heaven, what do you say?" exclaimed Sybil, in strong excitement. "If you know me to be guiltless, you must know who is guilty! Nay, you do know it! You can not only save my life, but clear my fame."
"Hush! I know nothing, but that you are guiltless. I can do nothing but save your life."
"You took me away in the absence of my husband. Why could you not have waited a little while until his return, and—"
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the girl, breaking in upon Sybil's speech; "waited until his return, and take two strangers, himself and his servant, into our confidence! Moloch would have brained me, or Belial would have poisoned me if I had done such a thing. We are knaves, but not fools, Mrs. Berners."
"But when will you communicate with him, to relieve his dreadful suspense?"
"As soon as it shall be safe to do so. Our first care must be our own safety, but our second, will be yours."