"Ah!" he said. "And if I promise that—will you promise me one thing too?"
She paused. "What is that?"
His eyes met hers, direct but baffling. "Not. to run away from me," he said.
The quick blood mounted again in her face. She stood silent.
He lifted an urgent hand. "Stella, in heaven's name, don't be afraid of me!"
She laid her hand again in his. She could not do otherwise. She wanted to beg him to say nothing further, to let her go in peace. But no words would come. She stood before him mute.
And—perhaps he knew what was in her mind—Monck was silent also after that single earnest appeal of his. He held her hand for a few seconds, and then very quietly let it go. She knew by his action that he would respect her wish for the time at least and say no more.