"Never mind that. Think of yourself, Brooke, for once in your life. To stay here is certain death for you. This is your very last chance."
Brooke was silent for a little time.
"Well," said Talbot, "will you go?"
"Oh, Talbot! Talbot!" cried Brooke; "how can you have the heart to make such a proposal to me? I have told you that the only thing that moves me is the thought of your danger. Death is nothing to me; I've faced it hundreds of times."
"It is preposterous to talk in that way!" said Talbot, excitedly. "My danger? I deny that there is any danger for me. As an English lady, I shall be safe in any event. I'm sorry I ever took this disguise. If you take it back you can go away now in safety. When they find that you have gone, they may perhaps threaten a little, but that is all. They will have nothing against me, and will, no doubt, set me free. This captain seems to be a gentleman, and I should have no fear of him. I believe that after the first explosion he would treat me with respect, and let me go."
"And so you would really let me go?" said Brooke, after a long pause, in a very low voice.
"Gladly, gladly," said Talbot.
"And stay here alone, in a new character, ignorant of the language, to face the return of the mad and furious crowd?"
"Yes."
"They would tear you to pieces," cried Brooke.