Page:Joan, the curate.djvu/145

Rh "But you will not go! You must not! 'Twould not be safe"

Joan uttered the words with great earnestness; but stopped, blushing, when she had got so far. Tregenna took up her words—

"Not safe! How mean you? Surely my safety is the last thing you would concern yourself with. 'Tis for the safety of these smuggling folk alone that you care."

Joan looked down, and said nothing. But it was plain by the heaving of her breast and by her labored breathing, that she was much agitated.

"Is it not so, Miss Joan?"

"Nay, Mr. Tregenna, 'tis not so. I would not have you come to harm. If you pursue those whom I have reason to hold in more esteem than you do, I know that 'tis but your duty you are doing."

"And 'tis in the performance of my duty that I must visit Rede Hall again."

"And I tell you again that you must not. Without saying aught against the people that live there, I know there are others that frequent that neighborhood that would not scruple to set upon you, perhaps to kill you,