"Do not leave me here, monsieur; of your pity do not leave me alone amongst them.

Think me a coward if you will, monsieur: I am no less.

They have made a coward of me." He understood the thing she dreaded, and a great pity welled up from his generous heart for this poor unfriended girl at the mercy of the beautiful witch of Condillac and her beautiful rascally son.

He patted the hand that clutched his arm.
"I think, myself, that it will be best if I remain, now that I have come so far," he said.

"Let me ponder things.