hope it is not 'worse.'"

"I beg you to forget that little note from me. I was only
frightened at the thought of a long journey which I did not know
then might end so soon. I only fancied I was in need of help."

"Tell me one thing," he began irrelevantly. "You are countess, as
you say. Who is your husband, and where is he?"

"You have no right to ask. I must leave you now. Ah! If indeed I
had a protector here--some man of that country where men fight--"

"I have said that you shall not leave."

"But this passes belief. It is insult, it is simple outrage! I am
alone--I come to you asking protection in the name of a man's
chivalry,--an American's. This is what I receive! You declare
yourself to be my new jailer. What is being done with me? I never
saw Captain Carlisle until three days ago. And you have met me
once, before this moment! And you are a Southerner; and, they tell
me--"

"That once was enough."

"Your pardon, sir! Which way does the conversation tend?"

"To one end only," he resumed sullenly, desperately. "You shall
not leave. If you did, I should only follow you."

"How excellent, to be taken by one brigand, handed over to another
brigand, and threatened with perpetual attendance of the latter!
Oh, excellent indeed! Admirable country!"

"You despise the offer of one who would be a respectful servitor."

She mocked at him. "How strange a thing is man! That is the first
argument he makes to a woman, the first promise he makes. Yet at
once he forgets the argument and forgets the promise. What you
desire is to be not my servant, but my master, I should say. You
fancy you are my master? Well, then, the situation seems to me not
without its amusing features. I am a prisoner, I am set free. I
am sought to be again put in durance, under duress, by a man who
claims to be my humble servitor--who also claims to be a gentleman!
It is most noble of you! I do not, however, comprehend."

The dull flush on his face showed at least no weakening on his own
part. "Come now!" he exclaimed impatiently, "let us arrive at the
issue."

"And what honorable enterprise is it which you propose?"

"To make it short, Madam, I propose to take you home with me. Now
you have heard it." He spoke in a desperate, icy calm.

[Illustration: I propose to take you home with me.]

"You flatter me! But how, if I may ask, do you intend to
accomplish all that?"

"I have not thought so far along. In