Have you a welcome for me, and for mine errand ?" "The best of welcomes," answered Dalaber, without a moment's hesitation; "I welcome you for your own sake, and for that of the cause in which we both desire to live, and, if need be, to die." Yet even as he spoke the last word the young man's voice faltered for a moment, and he felt a thrill of cold disquiet run, as it were, through his frame.

With Freda's kiss of love upon his lips, how could he think of death?
No; life and light and love should be his portion.

Did not fair fortune smile upon him with favouring eyes?
The keen eyes of the elder man instantly detected that some inward misgiving was possessing him.

He spoke in his clear and cutting tones, so curiously penetrating in their quality.
"You speak of death, and then you shudder.

You are not prepared to lay down your life in the cause ?" Dalaber was silent for a moment; a flood of recollection overwhelmed him.