"Then keep your threat," she said, and folding her arms proudly across her breast she regarded him with a look of fire.
Prescott felt the blood rising in his face. He could not fulfil his menace and now he knew it.
"Come," he said abruptly, "you must go back to Richmond with me. I can take you safely past the earthworks and back to the house from which you came; there my task shall end, but not my duty."
However, he comforted himself with the thought that she had not passed the last line of defenses and perhaps could not do so at another time.
The girl said nothing, but walked obediently beside him, tall, straight and strong. She seemed now to be subdued and ready to go wherever he directed.
Prescott recognized that his own position in following the course that he had chosen was doubtful. He might turn her over to the nearest military post and then his troubles concerning her would be at an end; but he could not choose that alternative save as a last resort. She had made an appeal to him and she was a woman, a woman of no ordinary type.
The night was far gone, but the moon was full, and now spread its veil of silver mist over all the hills and fields. The earth swam in an unreal light and again the woman beside Prescott became unreal, too. He felt that if he should reach out his hand and touch her he would touch nothing but air, and then he smiled to himself at such a trick of fancy.
"I have given you my name," he said. "Now what shall I call you?"
"Let it go for the time," she replied.
"I must, since I have no way to compel you," he said.