"My dear child," he said, "you could find nothing--for what would you go?"--the tone was very gentle, even moved. "You must walk on before me as quick as you can. Will you promise to do it? I will keep you in sight." "Before you?--no. What are you going to do? Are you touched?"--Her voice changed as she went on. "I am not hurt--and mean to do nothing to-night but follow you home. But give me your promise, Miss Faith,--you must not stand here." "Why in front? will they be behind us?" "I must have you in sight--and I will not have you near me." And letting go his hold he said, almost imperatively, "I will trust you. Walk on before me!--Miss Faith, you must not delay a moment." "I will go with you," she said low, and clinging to his arm.--"Your safety is in being near me. I will not delay. Come!"-- But the hand was taken off again, and held in both his while he spoke. "I will not have you anywhere near me! If you do not walk on far in front, I shall,--and keep watch of you as best I can." And he let go her hand, and stepped back with a quick pace that soon put some distance between them. She stood still a moment, looking, and then sprang back till she reached him; speaking with a low vehemence that did not seem like Faith. "I will not do it, Mr. Linden--I will not! I will not!--Come, come! don't stay here!"-- Whatever Mr. Linden felt at that appeal--and he was not a man to feel it lightly--his words lost none of their firmness. "I shall not stir until you are ten yards in front of me!--unless I leave you as far behind." She planted herself for an instant before him and looked in his face, with eyes of quiet but most eloquent beseeching. "No"--he repeated,--"you must go on and fear nothing. Child--'there is no restraint to the Lord, to save by many or by few.'"