"Maritza! You? Is it really you? How wonderful it is, this waking! Is it you, Maritza?"
"Yes, dear. Thank God for bringing you to me again."
"It is wonderful," Ellerey murmured. "Red blood is before my eyes still, and in my ears shouting and groaning. We have lived through it all, you and I—"
"And so many are dead, Desmond, have died for me. My heart is heavy and full of tears, only—only there is you, and you are here, and, God forgive me, there is joy in my soul because of this."
It was a strange, new thing for him to see Maritza weep.
"And Frina. Frina gave her life for mine, Desmond," she whispered.
He did not speak, but his fingers closed over hers, and they were both silent.
"They are looking for us in every corner of the city," she said presently.
"How did you escape?" he asked.
"I hardly know. Stefan caught me up and ran with me. I strove to free myself in vain. I pleaded, I threatened, but it was of no use. I was a child in those great arms of his. He brought me here. Lord Cloverton was very kind."