The endearment startled him. It seemed to cast her faith upon him.
"What are you doing here?" he said.
"I came because I had to come! I had no choice—!"
"No choice! Then why did you send me away?"
She gave a little shrug.
"I knew not how much I loved you."
"And yet, dearest, you cannot remain here. You know his moods better than any one else—and you know if he finds us—for your own sake, dearest, you cannot remain."
In the warmth of his entreaty he had used as endearing words as she. They were precious to her ears.
"Let him come!" she said, nestling close to him. "Let him come and kill me!"
She glanced about. He pointed to the castellated building that rose darkly beyond the holm-oaks.