Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/378

 358 the trade. Your remaining with us cannot change the result, whatever it may prove to be—and, with me, it is merely a choice between bullet and rope."

She buried her face in her hands, but there was no sound of sobbing. I waited, ashamed of my inconsiderate words, yet when her eyes were again lifted they were tearless.

"I know," she said, "and you feel that it will be best for you—for you, if I go?"

"Yes, Noreen," earnestly. "The very knowledge that you are here saps my courage. Surely you can understand why this should be so, for the more desperate our defense the more ruthless our enemies will prove in the hour of victory. The very knowledge of what the result may be would almost lead me to surrender, and, to a less degree, your presence here must affect your cousin."

"The lieutenant! Why to a less degree?"

"Because," I broke forth swiftly, "you are less to him. This is your first meeting; there is no tie between you, except a distant relationship just discovered. His solicitude is merely the protection of a woman, while I cannot forget that you are my wife."

"A temporary matter, a mere form. So you wish to forget?"

"I did not say that, and have never thought it."