The lady gave a start of fear. Paul saw his advantage and pursued it.
"Signorina, I am an Englishman—a military officer, as you see," he remarked, putting aside his cloak and revealing his handsome uniform of dark blue adorned with silver facings. "I do not ask who or whence you are; but whether you be princess or peasant, I cannot let you go on your way alone and unprotected."
She did not reply, and Paul continued in a somewhat firmer tone,—
"You do wrong to repel me. You are too exhausted to walk farther without aid."
"You speak the truth," she murmured. "I am faint. I have eaten nothing for twelve hours."
Her tone went to Paul's heart, the more so as he had nothing to offer her in the shape of food, for he had long ago consumed his last morsel.
"You must think it strange," said the lady, after a brief pause, "for a woman to be wandering in this hour in such a spot."
"I do not press for confidences—only for permission to conduct you to a place of safety."
"But learn the risk you run by so doing. It was not from churlishness that I refused your escort just now. Signor, I will be frank with you, believing that you will not betray me. I have escaped from a convent, where I was forcibly detained, and I fear pursuit by the Austrian gendarmerie. Hence, by aiding me, you may come into collision with the authorities. Why should I bring trouble upon you? Now you understand my desire for Zara. I hope to find there some English vessel. Once beneath its flag I shall be safe."
"You fear pursuit? Then you require an arm for your defence. So long as I can handle sword and pistol no one shall carry you off against your will. Signorina, you must come with me."