Her gaze was fastened upon the open locket, the fair face pictured
there smiling up at her as though in pleading also.
"You truly think she would wish it?"
"I know she would."
The girl gave utterance to a quick, startled breath, as if the vision
frightened her. "Then I will go," she said, her voice a mere whisper,
"I will go."
He led her down the steps, out into the jostling crowd below, as if she
had been some fairy princess. Men occasionally spoke to him, but
seemingly he heard nothing, pressing his way through the mass of moving
figures in utter unconsciousness of their presence. Her locket hung
dangling, and he slipped it back into its place and drew her slender
form yet closer against his own, as they stepped forth into the black,
deserted road. Once, in the last faint ray of light which gleamed from
the windows of the Miners' Retreat, she glanced up shyly into his face.
It was white and hard set, and she did not venture to break the
silence. Half-way up the gloomy ravine they met a man and woman coming
along the narrow path. Hampton drew her aside out of their way, then
spoke coldly.
"Mrs. Herndon, were you seeking your lost charge? I have her here."
The two passing figures halted, peering through the darkness.
"Who are you?" It was the gruff voice of the man.
Hampton stepped out directly in his path. "Herndon," he said, calmly,
"you and I have clashed once before, and the less you have to say
to-night the better. I am in no mood for trifling, and this happens to
be your wife's affair."
"Madam," and he lifted his hat, holding it in his hand, "I am bringing
back the runaway, and she has now pledged herself to remain with you."
"I was not seeking her," she returned, icily. "I have no desire to
cultivate the particular friends of Mr. Hampton."
"So I have understood, and consequently relinquish here and now all
claims upon Miss Gillis. She has informed me of your flattering
opinion regarding me, and I have indorsed it as being mainly true to
life. Miss Gillis has been sufficiently shocked at thus discovering my
real character, and now returns in penitence to be reared according to
the admonitions of the Presbyterian faith. Do I state this fairly,
Naida?"
"I have come back," she faltered, fingering the chain at her throat, "I
have come back."