e sank down unconscious as Stephen beat the
Arab off the wall.

"Darling, precious one, for God's sake say you're not hurt!" he
stammered, as he caught Victoria in his arms, holding her against his
heart, as he carried her down. He was still a madman, mad with fear for
her, and love for her--love made terrible by the dread of loss. It was
new life to hold her so, to know that she was safe, to bow his forehead
on her hair. There was no Margot or any other woman in existence. Only
this girl and he, created for each other, alone in the world.

Victoria clung to him thankfully, sure of his love already, and glad of
his words.

"No, my dearest, I'm not hurt," she answered. "But you--you are
wounded!"

"I don't know. If I am, I don't feel it," said Stephen. "Nothing matters
except you."

"I saw him shoot you. I--I thought you were killed. Put me down. I want
to look at you."

She struggled in his arms, as they reached the foot of the stairs, and
gently he put her down. But her nerves had suffered more than she knew.
Strength failed her, and she reached out to him for help. Then he put
his arm round her again, supporting her against his wounded shoulder. So
they looked at each other, in the light of the bonfires, their hearts in
their eyes.

"There's blood in your hair and on your face," she said. "Oh, and on
your coat. Maieddine shot you."

"It's nothing," he said. "I feel no pain. Nothing but rapture that
you're safe. I thought the blood on your dress might be----"

"It was his, not mine. His hands were bleeding. Oh, poor Maieddine--I
can't help pitying him. What if he is killed?"

"Don't think of him. If he's dead, I killed him, not you, and I don't
repent. I'd do it again. He deserved to die."

"He tried to kill you!"

"I don't mean for that reason. But come, darling. You must go into the
house, I have to take my turn in the fighting now----"

"You've done more than any one else!" she cried, proudly.

"No, it was little enough. And there's the wall to defend. I--but look,
your sister's fainting."

"My Saidee! And I didn't see her lying there!" The girl fell on her
knees beside the white bundle on the ground. "Oh, help me get her into
the house."

"I'll carry her."

But Victoria would help him. Together they lifted Saidee, and Stephen
carried her across the courtyard, making a detour to avoid passing the
two dead Arabs. But Victoria saw, and, shuddering, was speechless.

"This time you'll promise to