Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/255

 million soldiers girded us with their bayonets. We had to strike under a mantle of darkness and terror, where the power of resistance was weakest, the blow unsuspected and discovery impossible."

"How terrible!" she interrupted with a shudder. "And yet," she went on with a sudden flash of her eye, "its mystery and its daring fascinate me! Would you do something just to please a romantic fancy of mine?"

"I have but one desire in life—to please your fancy," he cried.

"Come here with me again, day after to-morrow night, and dress in your costume as Chief of the High Court of the Klan. Bring some lanterns and we'll light it up—it's just a fancy of mine—will you do it?"

"You're not afraid to be here alone with me at night?"

"Why should I? I love to do daring unconventional things. Besides, do we not belong to each other now?"

"You do love me?" he whispered.

"Do you doubt it?"

"Kiss me!" he pleaded, bending closer.

With a sudden shudder she drew away.

"Not yet! you must be patient. I've a lot of silly notions. That's one of them. I'll learn, no doubt."