"I cannot—I cannot."
"You can easily make up some story for the occasion. Tell me the name of some one, and I will take you."
"No," said she.
"Then," said I, "you must go home."
"Home! home!" she gasped.
"Yes," said I, firmly, "home. Home you must go, and nowhere else."
"I cannot."
"You must."
"I will not; I will die first."
"You shall not die!" I cried, passionately. "You shall not die while I am near you. I have saved your life before, and I will not let it end in this. No, you shall not die—I swear by all that's holy! I myself will carry you home."