The imperious look faded from her face; she met my admiring gaze, and dropping her eyes, she hid them behind her long lashes, and a deep blush mounted her cheeks.
"I see thou hast lost none of thy old boldness," she murmured, "and still art as persistent to gain thy point as ever."
"What I am about to say may seem strange to thee," I said—"incredible. But I have always told the truth to thee—have I not?"
"Yes," she answered gravely, raising her eyes, "I believe whatever thou mayest say."
"It was Dunraven who kidnaped me," I answered quietly.
She started, and I thought her face grew paler.
"Impossible!" she cried, her eyes wide open with astonishment.
"I stand too near death's door to lie to thee now, Margaret," I said, "did I wish to."
"Forgive me," she answered quickly. "I was astonished, though I never doubted what thou didst say. But Lord Dunraven—what motive could he have for so black a deed?"
"Margaret!" I cried, "look at me."