age."

Browne saw that she was in deadly earnest. He was about to argue the
question with her, but the look upon her face stopped him. For the
moment he was frightened in spite of himself, and could only stammer
out, "I shall never see it."

"You _must_ see it," she answered. "There is a task I have set for
myself, which I must finish, come what may."

"Then, whatever it may be, I will share it with you," said Browne.
"You must doubt my love, Katherine, if you refuse to let me help you."

"I do not doubt your love," she answered, "but it is quite out of the
question that I could avail myself of your assistance in this matter."

"I will not believe it," he continued. "You are only saying it because
you do not wish to inculpate me. But I _will_ be inculpated, come what
may. Tell me what it is you have to do, and I will help you to carry
it through to the best of my ability; helping you where help is needed,
and counselling you where you stand in need of advice. In other words,
I place myself and all I have in the world at your disposal, darling,
to do with as you will."

"You are too noble," she answered; "too good and true. What other man
would do as much?"

"Any man," he answered, "who loves a woman as I love you."

"There can be but few who love so well," she replied softly, for her
heart was touched more than she could say; "and yet, good as you are, I
cannot accept your help. You do not know what I am about to attempt."

"I do not care what it is," he answered; "it makes no sort of
difference to my promise."

"But it would afterwards," she said. "Why, do you not remember that I
am the daughter of a convict; that my father was sent to Siberia to
live in chains to the end of his days? He remained there for many
years. Afterwards he was despatched to the island of Saghalien, where
he now is. News has reached us within the last few days that he is
ill, and that unless he leaves the island he will not live another
year."

"How did you hear that?" Browne inquired.

"Through Madame Bernstein," Katherine replied. "Ever since my father
was first arrested she has managed somehow or other to obtain news of
him."

"And what is it you intend to do?"

"To help him to escape," the girl replied.

"But it would be impossible," said Browne, horrified at her
declaration. "You must not dream of such a thing."

"But I do more than dream of it," she replied. "Remember, he is my
father, my own flesh and