She stood entreatingly till he turned and went on with her.
"He is evidently aching for another thrashing," he said grimly, as he stalked beside her.
And presently they were in the cutting, and the unnerving vastness of the gulfs opened out on either side. Gard felt like a blindfolded man stumbling along a plank.
He involuntarily put out a groping hand and took hold of her cloak. A little hand slipped out of the cloak and took his in charge, and so they went through the darkness of the narrow way.
He breathed more freely when the further slope was reached, and only then became aware that the hand that held his was all of a tremble. The next moment he perceived that she was sobbing quietly.
"Nance!" he cried. "What is it? You are crying. Is it anything I—"
"No, no, no!" sobbed the wounded soul convulsively.
"What then? Tell me!"
"I cannot. I cannot."
"Nance—dear!" and he sought her hand again and stood holding it firmly. "It is like stabs in my heart to hear you sobbing. I would give my life to save you from trouble. Do you believe me, dear?"