“And you must remain so, for the present at any rate,” she said firmly and sharply.  “I can tell you nothing, I am not called upon to do it indeed.  We are absolute strangers, I owe you no explanation, and I would give you none, even if you asked.”

“I have not asked and shall not ask anything.”

“Then you are willing to take it so, to put the best construction on what you have heard, to forget my words, to surrender your suspicions?”

“If you will tell me only this:  that I may have confidence in you, that I may trust you, some day, to enlighten me and explain what seems so incomprehensible to-day.”

“I am sorely tempted to do so now,” she paused, lost for a time in deep and anxious thought; and then, after subjecting me to a long and intent scrutiny, she shook her head.  “No, it cannot be, not yet.  You must earn the right to my confidence, you must prove to me that you will not misuse it.  There are others concerned; I am not speaking for myself alone.  You must have faith in me, believe in me or let it be.”

She had beaten me, conquered me.  I was ready to be her slave with blind, unquestioning obedience.

“As you think best.  I will abide by your decision.  Tell me all or nothing.  If the first I will help you, if the latter I will also help you as far as lies in my power.”

“Without conditions?” And when I nodded assent such a smile lit up her face that more than repaid me, and stifled the doubts and qualms that still oppressed me.  But, bewitched by the sorcery of her bright eyes, I said bravely: 

“I accept service—­I am yours to command.  Do with me what you please.”

“Will you give me your hand on it?” She held out hers, gloveless, white and warm, and it lay in mine just a second while I pressed it to my lips in token of fealty and submission.

“You shall be my knight and champion, and I say it seriously.  I may call you to fight for me, at least to defend and protect me in my present undertaking.  The way is by no means clear.  I cannot foresee what may happen on this journey.  There are risks, dangers before me.  I may ask you to share them.  Do you repent already?”

She had been watching me closely for any sign of wavering, but I showed none, whatever I might feel in my inmost heart.

“I shall not disappoint you,” was what I said, and, in a firm assured voice, added, “You have resolved then to travel forward in this train?”

“I must, I have no choice.  I dare not tarry by the way.  But I no longer feel quite alone and unprotected.  If trouble arises, I tell you candidly I shall try to throw it on you.”

“From what quarter do you anticipate it?” I asked innocently enough.  “You expect to be pursued, I presume?”

She held up a warning finger.

“That is not in the compact.  You are not to be inquisitive.  Ask me no questions, please, but wait on events.  For the present you must be satisfied so, and there is nothing more to be said.”