protection in the past, but I
have been unable. But I have come to help you now, if you will let me."

All this I said like one repeating a lesson, and I said it badly, too,
for I am not one who can speak easily. But when I had spoken so far a
weight seemed removed from me, and my heart burned as though great fires
were within my bosom.

"My love, my life!" I cried, "will you not come to me? I will give my
life for yours."

Then I opened my arms, and she came to me, not slowly and timidly, but
with a glad bound, and, as though leaning her head upon me, she found
joy and rest and safety.

Ay, and she did find safety, too, for it would have gone ill with any
man, ay, with many men, if they had come to harm her then. The lifeblood
of ten strong men surged within me, and the touch of her little hand
gave me more strength than the touch of magic wands which we are told
were potent in far-off times. I felt as though I could do battle with an
army, and come off more than conqueror. Besides, the first words she
spoke to me, telling as they did of her helplessness and her dependence
on me, were sweeter than the music of many waters.

"Jasper," she said, "I have many enemies--I who never harmed any
one--and I have no one to help me but you."

Ah! but she had me--she had me! I know this seems like boasting,
especially when I remember that I had been the easy dupe of the
Tresidders, and that they had foiled me in every attempt I had made
against them in the past. But her love made me wiser, and though, thank
God, I have never been a coward, her presence made me many times braver.
Besides, I felt I could protect her, that I could save her from the fear
of her enemies, for I loved her--loved her a thousand times more than
can be expressed in cold words on paper; and let who will say otherwise,
the unsullied love of an honest heart is of more value than great
riches.

All the time I longed to ask her many questions. I wanted her to tell me
all her trouble, but there were other things I wanted to know more. I
wanted her to tell me what I had told her.

But she did not speak further; she only sobbed as though her heart were
breaking, until I, awkward and fearful, and knowing nothing of the ways
of women, was afraid lest I had frightened her, or had in some way
caused her pain.

"Naomi, my little maid," I said, "have I done anything to frighten you?
I could not help coming to find you, for I could not believe what I have
hear