The seriousness of the situation overpowered him.
“Sh!” The warning was caused by the restlessness of the dogs outside. Their quick ears were sensing danger or—the coming of their master! Either possibility was equally alarming.
“Oh! you do not understand,” Nella-Rose was pleading by his knee. “If they-all see you, they will have you killed that minute. Burke is the only one in their minds—they don’t even know that you live; they’re too full of Burke, and if they see me—why—they’d kill you anyway.”
“But what can I do with you?” That thought alone swayed Truedale.
Then Nella-Rose got upon her feet and stood close to him.
“I’m yours! I gave myself to you. You—you wanted me. Are you sorry?”
The simple pride and dignity went straight to Truedale’s heart.
“It’s because I want you so, little girl, that I must save you.”
Somehow Nella-Rose seemed to have lost her fear of the oncoming raiders; she spoke deliberately, and above a whisper:
“Save me?—from what?”