“Yes—certainly.”

“You would not betray her?”

“No.”

“I don’t mean for money; I mean from fear.”

After a moment, and, avoiding his gaze: “I am afraid of death,” she said very simply.

He waited.

“I—I don’t know what I might do—being afraid,” she added in a troubled voice. “I desire to—live.”

He still waited.

She lifted her eyes: “I’d try not to betray my country,” she murmured.

“Try to face death for your country’s honour?”