She offered him a small gloved hand. It rested in his giant grasp a moment, then he raised it to his lips and kissed it.
"I'd have followed you across the world, my lady," he said.
"I know it, Antoine."
John, watching intently, sent the machine forward at fair speed. The road again stretched before him lone and white in the moonlight, which fell in a heavy silver shower. He did not know where they were going, but there was the road, and the hussars could not ride hard enough to overtake them. Now and then he stole a glance at Julie, and the same indomitable courage was always shining in her eyes. She was not weary and she was as wide awake as he. By and by both Antoine and Suzanne slept, sitting upright, but Julie, wrapped almost to the eyes in cloak and hood, was still quiet, watching everything with wide fearless eyes. John brought the machine down to a slow pace and guided it for the moment with one hand.
"Julie," he said softly, "I don't know where we're going, but I know that we'll escape, and knowing it I now have something to ask you."
"What is it, John?"
"When we reach Paris, you'll marry me, Julie?"
"Yes, John, I'll marry you."
The other hand came from the wheel and as he leaned back, they kissed in the moonlight. The great machine ran on, unguided but true. They kissed again in the moonlight, and for a splendid moment or two her arms were about his neck.
"Julie," whispered John, "will your mother consent?"