"It is painful, terrible--" He could not go on, but stood before her unmanned.

In the feeble light his face was wan and his hurt shoulder, still in bandages, drooped perceptibly.
"I surrender to you," she presently said in French, extending the hilt of her rapier to him.

"I had to defend myself when attacked by your Lieutenant there.

If an officer finds it necessary to set upon a girl with his sword, may not the girl guard her life if she can ?" She was short of breath, so that her voice palpitated with a touching plangency that shook the man's heart.
Farnsworth accepted the sword; he could do nothing less.

His duty admitted of no doubtful consideration; yet he hesitated, feeling around in his mind for a phrase with which to evade the inevitable.
"It will be safer for you at the fort, Mademoiselle; let me take you there.".