There is too much at stake to allow of a
man being squeamish. I don't care much for the job, but by high Heaven
I am of no mind to watch life run by through the bars of a
penitentiary. After all action becomes simplified when a crisis comes;
doesn't it? There is just one answer, just one way out. You will come
with me, now. I will put you where you will have no opportunity to do
any talking for the few days in which I shall finish what I have to
do." His hand on Persis's rein drew the two horses still closer
together. "Give me your promise, Virginia; or come with me!"
Her quick spurt of anger rose, flared, and dwindled away like a little
flame extinguished by a splash of rain; the tears were stinging her
eyes almost before the last word. For she felt that here was no
Roderick Norton speaking, but rather a bit of bone pressing upon the
delicate machinery which is a man's brain.
"Where would you take me?" she asked faintly.
"To the King's Palace," he answered bitterly. "Where we had one
perfect, happy day, Virginia; where, I had hoped, we would have other
perfect days. Oh, girl, can't you see," and his voice went thrilling
through her, "can't you see what I have hoped, what I have
dreamed. . . ."
"You might still hope," she told him steadily. "You might still dream.
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