"Loyalty before all" was his motto where she was
concerned. He loved her, and if it was her desire to assist a by no
means respectable father to escape from the prison in which he was very
rightly confined, he must help her to the best of his abilities,
without considering the cost to himself. It would be a terrible
business; but, at any rate, he would then be able to assure himself
that she did not come to any harm.

"And you are determined to carry out this foolish scheme?" he asked.
"Is there nothing I can say or do that will be at all likely to
dissuade you from your purpose?"

"Nothing at all," she answered slowly, looking him steadily in the
face. "My mind is quite made up."

"Very good, then," he continued; "in that case I will not oppose you
further. Tell me how you propose to set about it."

She shook her head. "I do not know yet," she answered. "But you may
be sure I will do it somehow. There must be a way, if I can only find
it. At any rate, I am not afraid to look for it."

Browne glanced at the pale yet determined face before him, and noted
the strength of the mouth and chin. There was sufficient strength of
mind there to carry the matter through, provided the needful
opportunities were supplied. But would they be forthcoming? One thing
was quite certain, she could not possibly manage with the limited means
at her disposal. There at least she would be compelled to apply to him.

"Katherine," he said at last, "I have told you repeatedly that I love
you, and now I am going to try to prove it to you. You say you are
desirous of rescuing your father. Very good; then I am going to help
you to do so. It will at least demonstrate the sincerity of my love
for you, and will show you that all the assertions I have made are not
merely so much idle chatter, but what I really feel."

"You would help me?" she gasped, staggered for the moment at the
magnitude of his proposal. "Surely you do not know what you are
saying?"

"I mean what I say," he answered. "If you are bent on rescuing your
father I will help you. But I only offer my services on one condition."

"And what is that?"

"That as soon as this business is finished you become my wife."

"But I cannot let you do it," she answered. "Why should I draw you
into it?"

"I do it because I love you, and because you love me," he answered.
"Surely that is sufficient reason."

"But----"

"We'll have no more _buts_, if you please," said