Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/134

 he was quite restored, Gladys, turning her face from him, said,—

"You have saved my life—and I am very grateful to you! May I ask you a great favor?"

"Need you doubt it?"

"It is this, that you will never mention what has happened to-day to any one. Promise me. Do not even speak of it to me. I cannot bear to think of it. It was too terrible."

"Yes, I will promise on one condition."

"And that is?"

"That you will swear to me never to risk your precious life again so wilfully, so wickedly."

"It should be a precious life?"

"It is dearer to me than my own."

"Well, I promise. Now pledge me your word."

She held out to him her delicate hand, white as snow, pink as apple blossoms. The man touched it with his own strong fingers.