It may not be altogether pleasant, but I made my choice, and it is too late now for retreat.

I want you to help me, not make it any harder." "By going away, you mean?
By leaving you to be coerced ?" "I was not coerced; it was my own free choice." We were both so interested as to forget everything except ourselves, utterly oblivious to the situation, or to what was occurring without.

My eyes were upon her face, endeavoring to read the real truth, and I knew nothing of the two men at the edge of the orchard.

Like a shot out of the night broke in a voice: "Billie, who is that you have with you ?" I saw her reel against the side of the window, every trace of color deserting her face, her eyes staring down into the darkness.

She gasped for breath, yet answered, before a thought flashed through my brain: "Only a friend, papa.