"This is no ordinary matter.

It will try your utmost love; perchance place your life in such deadly peril as you never faced before.

For I must ask of you what no one else would ever venture to require--nor can I hold out before you the slightest reward, save my deepest gratitude." I gazed fixedly at her flushed face, scarcely comprehending the strange words she spoke.
"What may all this be that you require--this sacrifice so vast that you doubt me?
Surely I have never stood a coward, a dastard in your sight ?" She stood erect, facing me, proudly confident in her power, with tears still clinging to her long lashes.
"No! you wrong me uttering such a thought.

I doubt you not, although I might well doubt any other walking this earth.

But listen, and you can no longer question my words; this which I dare ask of you--because I trust you--is _to save my husband_." "Your husband ?" The very utterance of the word choked me.