"I mean that the demand will be made upon you by one who will enforce it."
"Who?"
"That I cannot tell you, more I cannot say to you, yet I will relieve your anxiety by saying that I will protect you, cost whose life it may."
"You?"
"Yes, if you are again captured, though, if I can prevent it, I will."
"But if I am?"
"It will end there, for then I will prove my reformation: I will protect you, and that poor fellow for whom you will have to pay ransom. When I do, I believe I will be able to return your gold, paid in ransom, to you again.
"But, whether I do or not, you will go your way free, and Brandon also, and I will prove that you have reformed me, that my loving you has made me a different man. Now I cannot, will not say more; but remember that through all I will secretly be your friend, though openly appearing as your guard and enemy."
"I thank you, and I will trust you," and stepping forward, Celeste Seldon held forth her hand.
The man put forth his own, as though to grasp it, then hesitated, and said: