Mark paused and looked full at the Secretary, who said, “But you must remember that I can do nothing that will be disloyal to the Queen.”
“If you were persecuted by the Queen and threatened with death, would you consider it allowable to fly to the forests?”
“Yes—the Word of the Lord recommends that.”
“Would you consider it right to assist a fellow-Christian to fly?”
“Truly I would!”
“Well then, you will assist me this night, for I have spoken to Rafaravavy. My Malagasy words are few, but love does not require many words! She has agreed to fly with Ravonino—”
“Have you seen Ravonino lately?” asked Hockins.
“No—I have not seen him lately.”
“How, then, do you know he will be ready?”
“Because,” said Mark, with a peculiar look, “I have been smitten with his complaint, and know that it runs the same course and exhibits the same phases in most men. Let a young fellow see his intended bride treated with cruelty, and you may be sure that, no matter what difficulties may be in the way, he will hasten at the very first opportunity to meet and carry off the sweet little fairy in spite of—”