“I have a great reason to wish to save them,” she continued. “There is one among them whom I thought—ah, I thought—” She laughed happily—“I thought I cared for till I met you—no one knew—but I believed I cared—yet it was only pity and loneliness—yet did I vow to save him—and now—do not you see? Out of loyalty to that old vow of mine, I am pledged to save him still.”
He was silent. She drew timidly a little closer.
“You understand?” she asked anxiously.
“I understand,” he said gloomily. “That you should ask me! I have no power.”
“’Twill be a service to the King,” she answered. “Ah, as you love me—”
He took the words from her lips.
“As I love you, I will do it,” he said recklessly. “Now will you kiss me?”
She held out her hands.
“If you ask it,” she said passionately.
He took her hands in his and stared down into her surrendered face; then suddenly let her go.