“You mean?”
“I take you with me.”
“Impossible!”
“But do you not love me?” She was silent. “Would you have done all this for me if you had not?” I persisted.
“Gratitude, Monsieur, for services rendered, and——”
“Nonsense!” I said, laughing, “you know that you care. Why, I have lived in the prison upon the memory of that——”
“You are cruel, Monsieur.”
“Is it cruel for a man who loves a woman to take the woman, if she loves him, away with him?”
I was young and reckless. I didn’t care what happened. I swung my horse in closer to hers and slipped my arm around her. She struggled, but in despite of her struggles I kissed her. Her head sank on my shoulder.
“Don’t!” she whispered. “You are so strong. I cannot let you go——”