For
one thing, he had spoiled the glamour of the adventure by tingeing it
with blood. And on the way to the car I wondered what had been the
rogue's past, what had turned him into this hardy, perilous path. He
had spoken of a woman; perhaps that was it. They are always behind
good actions and bad. Heigh-ho!
Once we were seated in the lonely car, the girl broke down and cried as
if her heart would break. It was only the general reaction, but the
sight of her tears unnerved me.
"Don't cry, girl; don't!" I whispered, taking her hand in mine. She
made no effort to repulse me. "I am sorry. The rascal was a gallant
beggar, and I for one shouldn't have been sorry to see him get away.
There, there! You're the bravest, tenderest girl in all this world;
and when I told him I loved you, God knows I meant it! It is one of
those inexplicable things. You say I have known you only eight hours?
I have known you always, only I had not met you. What are eight hours?
What is convention, formality? We two have lived a lifetime in these
eight hours. Can't you see that we have?"
"To shoot a human being!" she sobbed. Her head fell against my
shoulder. I do not believe she was conscious of the fact. And I did
not care a hang for the conductor.
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