But it is nerve that your protector will need, child; and Ratcliffe possesses more nerve than all the rest of the garrison put together.

No, it must be Ratcliffe, Muriel.

And remember to give him all your trust, all your confidence.

For whatever he does will be with my authority--with my--full--approval." His voice failed suddenly and he rose, turning sharply away from the light.

She clung to his arm silently, in a passion of tenderness, though she was far from understanding the suffering those last words revealed.