His arms fell to his side as though they were paralyzed.
'Not while the Gesu is with us,' she murmured in rebuke. 'Let us not be unworthy—you say yourself a miracle was wrought.'
'But——'
He stood before her, checked, daunted, breathing heavily, like a horse thrown back on its haunches in full flight.
'Hush!' she said, with a scared look. 'There are people near; I hear them. We will take the Gesu back to the church, but that cannot be till dusk. I will keep Him safe with me. Go, you dear, and clean your skin and your clothes, lest any seeing you should suspect what you have done.'
'I will not go,' he muttered; 'you promised——'
'I promised, oh fool!' she said, with quick passion, 'and my word I will keep, but not while the Gesu is with us. I love you for all you have braved. I love you for all you have done. I will be yours and no other's. See! I swear it on the Holy Child's head!'
And she kissed the silver brow of the babe.
He was convinced, yet irresolute and impatient.
'Let us go back with it now, then,' he muttered. 'I did but bring him to show you in witness of what I had done.'