“That your father is conspiring against the State; that his crime is all but discovered; that this crime will be punished with death.”
“Death! crime!” cried the poor girl.
“Crime and death,” said the strange lady, seriously.
“My father! my noble father!” continued Ethel. “Alas! he spends his days in hearing me read the Edda and the Gospel! He conspire! What has he done to you?”
“Do not look at me so fiercely. I tell you again I am not your enemy. Your father is suspected of a grave crime; I am here to warn you of it. Perhaps, instead of such a show of dislike, I might lay claim to your gratitude.”
“Oh, forgive me, noble lady, forgive me! What human being have I ever seen who was not an enemy? I have doubted you. You will forgive me, will you not?”
The stranger smiled.
“What, my girl! have you never met a friend until to-day?”
A hot blush mantled Ethel’s brow. She hesitated an instant.