an inarticulate
wordless prayer, that inspiration might be sent her to find a way out
of this _impasse_ in which there seemed neither light nor opening.

Time was passing, and every moment was bringing her nearer the most
appalling destiny that could ever be meted out to any woman. If she
did Sobrenski's bidding she would be not only a murderess, but the
murderess of the being she loved most in the world. Vardri, who was so
different from all the other men; Vardri, who could never bear anything
to be hurt, or even to be made uncomfortable. She knew that it was
perfectly useless for both of them to attempt to escape. Someone was
most likely posted at the window of the loft, they would get no
distance on foot without being overtaken, and if she attempted to lead
out any of the horses or mules, the noise would probably attract
attention.

Her hands fell to her side, and her head went up as she listened
intently. So he was coming, after all. In that undisturbed space and
clear dry air, sound travelled quickly, and she could hear the
approaching hoof-beats while he was still some way off. With the
knowledge of his approach the blood flowed again warmly in her veins
and courage and decision came back to her. Her senses, unnaturally
acute, told her that Vardri had now dismounted and was leading his
horse. She could distinguish his footsteps, and then the monotonous
regular footfalls of his mount. She ran out into the patch of
moonlight, casting a hurried backward glance at the side of the hut.
Thank God! the window was on the other side!

Vardri was coming slowly towards her, his horse's bridle over his arm.
Before she covered the distance between them she made a gesture that
enjoined silence and stopped his greeting. "Don't bring your horse
in," she whispered. "Tie him up out of the way over there, a good way
off the hut. I'll explain presently."

In another moment Vardri was beside her in the hut and had her in his
arms.

"What is it, _mon petit_? There must be something wrong. Has
Sobrenski--?"

"No, no, he has done nothing. It's just that I don't want you to be up
here too long to-night. I want you to do something for me. Will you,
Vardri?"

"Do you think you'll need to ask me twice to do anything for you, dear?"

He stood with his hands on her shoulders, his dark eyes gazing down at
her hungrily. "Did you think I was never coming? I stayed behind on
purpose. I felt that Sobrenski intended t