"Yes, Philip, for you have plighted your troth to her. You have made no promise to me."
"And you?"
"I have promised nothing."
"But your silence the other evening when I entreated you to grant my suit—was not your silence then an avowal?"
"You misunderstood me!" replied Dolores, courageously.
The girl could endure no more; her strength was exhausted; but her decision was made, and her sole aim now was to assure Antoinette's happiness by compelling Philip to marry her. She said, gently:
"Coursegol must bring the order of release by the aid of which you and I were to leave the prison. It will be of service when we plan Antoinette's escape."
Philip uttered an exclamation of remonstrance. She pretended not to hear it and continued:
"You will go with her. When you are once outside these walls, thanks to Coursegol, it will be easy for you to reach a place of safety. I do not ask you to marry Antoinette as soon as you have left me; but when time has calmed the fever that is now raging in your heart, and peace has descended upon your troubled soul, you will bravely fulfil the promise you have made, as befits an honest man. This is my request."