“I didn’t say anything about an escape, did I?  On the contrary, I want to give myself up to her.  Then she can have Gabriel thrown over the castle wall and say to Bolaroz, ’Here is your man; I’ve gained the ten years of grace.’  That’s the point, Quinnox; can’t you see it?  And I want to say to you now, I’m going whether you consent or refuse.  I’d just as soon be in jail down there as up here, anyhow.  The only favor I have to ask of you is that you do the best you can to get me safely to her.  I must talk with her before I go back to the Tower.”

God help me, sir, I cannot take you to her,” groaned Quinnox, trying to control his nervous apprehension.  “I have sworn to her that I will keep you from all harm, and it would be to break faith with her if I led you into that mob down there.”

“I respect your oath, my friend, but I am going, just the same.  I’ll see her, too, if I have to shoot every man who attempts to prevent me.  I’m desperate, man, desperate!  She’s everything in the world to me, and I’ll die before I’ll see her suffer.”

Quinnox calmly placed his hands on the other’s shoulders, and, looking him in the eye, said quietly: 

“Her suffering now is as nothing compared to what it will be if you go back to the Tower.  You forget how much pain she is enduring to avoid that very suffering.  If you care for my mistress, sir, add no weight to the burden she already carries.  Remain here, as she desires.  You can be of no service down there.  I implore you to be considerate.”

It was an eloquent appeal, and it struck home.  Lorry wavered, but his resolution would not weaken.  He argued, first with Quinnox, then with himself, finally returning to the reckless determination to brave all and save her from herself.  The soldier begged him to listen to reason, implored him to reconsider, at last turning in anger upon the stubborn American with a torrent of maledictions.  Lorry heard him through and quietly, unswervingly announced that he was ready to leave the monastery at any time his guide cared to depart.  Quinnox gave up in despair at this, gazing hopelessly at the man he had sworn to protect, who insisted on placing his head in the lion’s jaw.  He sat down at the window and murmured dejectedly: 

“What will she say to me—­what will she say to me?”

“I shall exonerate you, captain.  She can have no fault to find with your action after I have told her how loyal you are and how—­how—­well, how unreasonable I am,” said Lorry, kindly.

“You may never live to tell her this, sir.  Then what is to become of me?  I could not look her in the face again.  I could only die!”

“Don’t be so faint-hearted, Quinnox!” cried Lorry, stimulated by the desire to be with her, recognizing no obstacle that might thwart him in the effort.  “We’ll get through, safe and sound, and we’ll untangle a few complications before we reach the end of the book.  Brace up, for God’s sake, for mine, for hers, for your own.  I must get to her before everything is lost.  My God, the fear that she may marry Gabriel will drive me mad if I am left here another night.  Come!  Let us prepare to start.  We must notify the Abbot that I am to go.  I can be ready in five minutes.  Ye Gods, think of what she may be sacrificing for me!”