She gasped a little. The steady assurance of his voice stirred her
strangely.

She tried to release herself from his hold. "I don't like this place,"
she said. "Let me go back to Mr. Hill."

"That's just what I can't do." He bent suddenly down to her. "Won't you
trust me?" he said. "I didn't fail you last time, did I?"

She thrilled in answer to those words. It was as if thereby he had flung
down all barriers between them. She stood for a moment in indecision,
then impulsively she turned and grasped his arms.

"I trust you--absolutely," she told him, tremulously. "But--but--though
I know you don't like him--promise me--you won't let--Fletcher be hurt!"

He, too, was silent for a moment before responding. She fancied that he
flinched a little at her words. Then: "All right, I promise," he said.

"Then I will go--wherever you like," she said, bravely, and put her hand
into his.

He took it into a strong grasp. "That's like you," he said, with
simplicity.




CHAPTER X