"But you couldn't have feared that?" he said, with a pained look, and coloring deeply.
"No, oh, no, indeed! I know you would never do that, but I dreaded what you might say, and did not at all expect you would be so kind and forgiving and loving to me.
"But how was I brought up here? I knew nothing from the instant you were at my side on the door-step till I saw you coming in with the lamp."
"In your husband's arms."
"What a heavy load for you to carry!" she said, looking at him with concern.
"No, not at all; I did it with perfect ease, except for the darkness and the fear that you might recover consciousness on the way and scream out with affright before you discovered who your captor was."
"My husband, my dear, kind husband!" she murmured, softly stroking his face as he bent over her to press a kiss upon her forehead.
"My darling little wife," he returned.
Then after a moment's silent exchange of caresses,
"Would you mind telling me where you were going and what you intended to do?" he asked with a half smile.