. We must
seek some secure place, at least for the present. You don't seem able
to go much farther. This moonlight night is just the time for flight,
but you need rest now, and unless you get that first you won't be
able to escape at all. And so--what do you say to my hunting up a
hiding-place for the night?"

As the priest began to speak, the lady had made a violent effort to
recover herself and had succeeded well enough to listen attentively,
only showing by an occasional sigh or sob that her distress had not
yet passed away altogether. At the priest's question she paused
thoughtfully for a short time, and then said,

"My being with you will make a great difference to you?"

"Oh yes," said the priest.

"It will perhaps endanger your safety," continued the lady, anxiously.

"Oh, that is nothing," said the priest; "that is my normal state. I
am always in danger."

"Still, I should be sorry to add to your danger," she said,
hesitatingly; "and if--if--"

"Well," said the priest, sharply, "if what?"

"If I am a source of danger," said the lady, calmly, "I should prefer
going on alone, just as I was; and I shall only ask you to tell me
what is the nearest town, and to give me generally the direction to
it."

"Oh, you will, will you?" said the priest, in the mocking tone which
he had previously used. "Well, then, madame, I shall only ask you to
do as I say, and ask no questions. I know the country--you don't. I
have registered a vow in heaven to save you, and save you I will,
even in spite of all your teeth. I swear it in the name of the great
Jehovah and the Continental Congress!"

At these strange words the lady was silent for a few moments, and
then said, in a tremulous voice,

"I'll do anything that you wish me to do."

"Furthermore, my hearer," continued the priest, suddenly assuming and
immediately dropping the whine of a rustic preacher, "mark this--I
don't mind saying a few words to ease your scruples: you cannot make
my position any more dangerous than it is already. I carry my life in
my hand all the time."

"Still," said the lady, "you can easily take care of yourself; but
what a terrible thing it would be if you should get into trouble on
my account!"

"Well, I'll ask only one question--what is your calling in life?"

"I have no calling. I'm a lady--"

"Spinster?" said the priest, in a mild voice.

"Yes," said the lady, gravely, and with deep sadness. It seemed to
the priest that he had un