“Stay, please, and I will introduce myself according to rule. I should have done so before, but my awkwardness in obstructing your path has put to flight all my ideas of etiquette. I am Ralph Moulton, at your service.”
He bowed low and gracefully before her as he spoke, for, in spite of her surroundings, he recognized her as a lady noble and pure. Then he added, “Will you kindly return the favor?”
“Certainly. My name is Enid Chichester.”
“And are you and your companions retained as captives here? But I need not ask, for doubtless you are.”
“Yes. I have not seen my bright, beautiful home for two weary years.”
Two sparkling drops struggled up from the liquid depths of her lovely eyes, and rolled like gems over her flushed cheeks, hiding themselves within the folds of the fleecy robes in her hands.
A strange expression gleamed within Ralph Moulton’s eyes as he gazed upon her emotion. One might interpret it thus:
If he had but seen this lovely, friendless little fairy before he had gone to such extremes with Dora, he thought he could have found all the consolation he wished in her smile.
With a sigh, half of regret for himself, and the other half of sympathy for her, Ralph Moulton asked, in a low tone:
“Would you accept freedom, Miss Chichester, could it be obtained for you?”