"He does not. He let me come to this country,—it is his native land, and my mother's,—he let me come because in his heart he has always loved his country, and he has never been able to return. We were to have come back together. But there was an opportunity for me. I dared not wait. So I am here,—and for nothing, Sir, but this man's liberty."
Those last words she spoke seemed to quicken the thought of General Saterges. He drew himself up still more erect in his chair. His eyes were on Elizabeth with the will to scan her heart of hearts. He spoke, —
"What is this man to you?"
She paused a moment. And she, too, had a thought. She could play a game for life. She looked at the old man, hesitated, answered,—
"He is everything."
"Just let me understand you," and he looked upon her as if he might touch her secret. "Do you love Cordier?"
"I love him," she answered, with exceeding dignity, evident truthfulness.
"Do I understand you?" he said again,—"what are you to him?"
"Everything," she again replied, with perfect confidence and faith. Was she not liberty and the joy of life to him? If liberty and joy were ever to be his portion, they must come through her. So she believed, and thus answered.
"Does he love you?"