She had put her heart before mine; my life was
dearer to her than her own. I could have laughed for joy. She loved
me! My love overwhelmed my shame, engulfed it. Then--
"I know you," said a harsh voice at my elbow. It startled me, and I
wheeled swiftly. It was the lieutenant's brother officer. "I thought
from what I heard of you that you were a man worth trouble and caution.
Ach! you, the man we have scoured the country for? I should not have
believed it. To let a woman fight for him! And she--she is more than
a woman--she is a goddess!" with enthusiasm. "If I was betrothed to
her I'd find her if I had to hunt in heaven and hell for her. And what
does she see in you?" He snapped his fingers derisively. "I warn you
that your race is run. You cannot leave a railway station within the
radius of a hundred miles. The best thing you can do is to swim the
river and stop in the middle. The Prince is at the village, and he
shall know. Woe to you, you meddler!"
"Young man," said a voice from over my shoulder, from the doorway, "you
should by right address those impertinent remarks to me.
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