"There is nothing to forgive; you but put it in my power to requite an obligation," she said very gently. "That is scarce a pardon. I would have you speak as though the forgiveness came from your heart, rather than from your head. Between us there can be no question of a debt; my love makes me your bondservant, and as such my service is yours rightfully." "Your name is not known," she broke in hastily, "but I understand it is suspected that my rescuer of yesterday is the escaped spy." "That accounts for Tarleton's doubt of you. Joscelyn, I will not stay here a moment longer and expose you thus. My mother's house has already been searched--" "And will be again ere nightfall. What you propose is folly,--worse than folly; it is death to you and betrayal to me. There are double guards everywhere, for Colonel Tarleton is as much policeman as soldier. You could not leave this house and cross the street alive!" "Then what must I do?" "Why, in sooth, since you cannot go, you must remain." There was just a touch in her voice and smile which made him think of their early days of quarrel and make-up. It was such an intoxicating change from her manner of a moment ago that he lost his head and caught her for a moment in his strong arms. But she broke away, and gathering up the pitcher and platter prepared to go. "There is just one thing," she said hesitatingly, "your despatches--?" He tapped his forehead. Again she paused irresolutely, the colour coming and going in her delicate cheeks. "I am saving you, not your despatches; do you understand?" "You do not mean--?" "Yes, I mean that Greene must learn nothing from you if you escape." But his hand was over her mouth before she could go on. "You cannot make a request so unworthy of you and of me! Think you for one instant that I would buy my safety with the information that may save my comrades? No, no, Joscelyn dear; you did not ask such a thing of me, for you would not dishonour me, although you say you do not love me. I make no such bargain with you; either I carry my despatches to my general, or I walk out of your house this minute, and let the first ball that can hit me put an end to my life." His hand was on the door, but she dragged him back; her face like ashes. "No, no, Richard; I will not ask it--indeed, I will not!" Silently he kissed the hand upon his sleeve, and as they stood thus looking into each other's eyes, there came a sharp rapping at the door below. She went deathly pale for a moment, then waving him back, she stepped out into the hallway. "It is only mother," she said, after listening a moment; "she has been over to Aunt Clevering's to make my peace for last night's rudeness. What I said was in desperation; I know not what evil genius put me to it." He took her hand reverently for a moment. "'Twas no evil genius, but a brave spirit of self-sacrifice."