"Why did he do it?" she moaned.
"Yet you love him?"
"He did so bravely—he spoke so bravely, yet—"
"He learned. If, of all the world of men, you were to choose one to stand by your side when hardest pressed, whom would you choose?"
"I would choose him," answered the girl without hesitation.
"Why?"
"Because—"
"After all, is n't that enough? You would trust him to fight an eternity as he has fought for you these few days. Twice he staked his life for you—once his good name."
"But he thought he was soon to die."
"All the more precious the time that was left."