"My dear child, you don't know what you are saying. You are too good,
too pure...."
"Hush! Our marriage is nothing to anybody but ourselves, and if we
choose to go without it...."
"My dear girl!"
"I can't hear you," she said. Loosening her hands from his neck, she had
covered her ears.
"Dearest, I know what you are thinking of, but it must not be."
"I can't hear a word you're saying," she said, beating her hands over
her ears. "I'm ready to go now, this very minute--and if you don't take
me, it is because you love other things better than you love me."
"My darling, don't tempt me. If you only knew what it costs me ... but I
would rather die...."
"I don't want you to die. That's just it! I want you to live, and I am
willing to risk everything--everything...."
Her warm and lovely form was quivering in his arms, and his heart was
labouring wildly.
"Dearest," he whispered over her head, "you are so good, so pure, so
noble, that you don't know how evil tongues can wag at a woman because
she is brave and true. But I must remember my mother--and if your poor
father is to rest in his grave...."
His voice broke and he stopped.
"See how much I love you," he whispered again, "when I would rather lose
you than see you lower yourself in your own esteem.... And then think of
my people! my poor people who trust me and look up to me so much more
than I deserve. I called them and they have come. They are here now,
tens of thousands of them. And they will be here to-morrow wherever I
may be. Shall I desert them in their hour of need, thinking of my own
safety, my own happiness? No! You cannot wish it! You do not wish it! I
know you too well!"
She lifted her head from his breast. "You are right," she said. "You
must stay."
"My sweet girl!"
"Can you ever forgive me for being frightened at the first note of
danger and telling you to fly?"
"I will always love you for it."
"And you will never think the worse of me for offering to go with you?"
"I will love you for that too."
"I must be brave," she said, drawing herself up proudly, though her lips
were trembling, her voice was breaking, and her eyes were wet. "Whether
you are right or wrong in what you are doing it is not for me to decide,
but if your heart tells you to do it you must do it, and I must be
your soldier, ready and waiting for my captain's call."