Page:The Road to Monterey (1925).pdf/190

 The bars are not so strong, the wood can be broken, the adobe can be torn out beneath the sill on this side."

"But what, Roberto, what then?" she asked, bewildered by his impetuosity, his apparent sincerity in whatever it was he devised.

"To the priest and be married, and then—what God wills!"

"There have been so many deceits," she said, turning many considerations in her thoughts, but not among them that of paying Roberto's price for the doubtful liberty that he offered.

"There is no deceit, Helena. I will fling everything away, I will"

"What is there for you to throw away, Roberto?" she asked, impatient of what seemed a hollow protestation.

"My father's friendship, my inheritance—all!"

"No; that is too much, Roberto."

"It is nothing."

"You might be sorry tomorrow, getting so little for so much."

"I have loved you long," he said, with such simple sincerity that touched her heart. "I have come to you now to redeem all that is past. I ask you to believe me—only that."

"But tomorrow, and the days after? Roberto, you know that I am called a traitor. I am under the shadow of death."

"My love absolves you."