“I’m awfully sorry!” he cried, seizing both her hands with eager tenderness. “A most unexpected thing occurred which delayed me thirty minutes. I’ll explain to you later. Come, I’m hungry to see your dear face in the light of these lanterns in that gloomy old room below. I’ve a thousand things to tell you. Life will be too short a time in which to tell it all. I hope you’ve been very lonely and hungry for me to come?” “I must confess, my heart began to fail me once or twice,” she said seriously, while he felt her hand trembling. He stooped to light a lantern, and she caught his arm. “Wait, not yet--the moon is shining brightly--we don’t need it.” “But you’ll stumble on those dark stairs in the corridor.” “No matter, wait,” she urged nervously; “I’ll hold your arm--you know the way.” “Yes, I know the way,” he laughed. “Come then, your slightest whim is law.” He drew her little hand through his arm and picking his steps carefully, led her down through the tangled debris and along the dark corridor without once stumbling, the timid figure clinging close to his side. “You see a revolutionist soon learns to find his way in the dark without a light,” he said, as they emerged into the kitchen whose wide space was lighted by the moonbeams streaming through the windows. He released her arm, placed the lantern and a bundle he carried on the top of the range, and said with a laugh: “Now, shall the actor make up for his part? I’ve the costume all ready. This is the palace of the queen to-night. I have been commanded to appear before her!” She gave no answer. He bent and kissed her hand and found it cold and trembling violently. “You feel the chill of this old basement,” he said with tender solicitude. “I’ll light the lantern at once.” She caught his hand. “No! No!--I--prefer it like this--the moonlight is enough.” “All right,” he answered gaily. “Shall I don my robes as ruler of the Invisible Empire to please the fancy of Your Majesty?” He opened the bundle and shook out the long white ulster-like disguise with its double cross of scarlet and gold. “Put it back--I’m not ready yet!” she gasped. “You’ll laugh and chat a while with the audience before the curtain goes up on the drama!--good! I’ve a lot to say. Sit here in the window while I tell you something.” He led her to the low casement of the window and seated her by his side. She sprang to her feet instantly, grasping at her heart, her breath coming in quick gasps: “What’s that!--Listen!” He took her hand soothingly: “Why, it’s only our horses neighing to each other.” “You’re sure?” she whispered. “Of course.” “I thought it was something else,” she faltered. “My poor little darling! This has been too much for your nerves--you should have allowed me to come with you.” “Yes, I’m afraid I did make a mistake!” she said in low strained tones. “Well, there’s nothing to be afraid of now--is there?” he said assuringly.