no, I dare not now," she cried, shrinking timidly. "Karl made me take an oath today on the holy crucifix that, whatever happened, I would never tell my father without his permission."
"Why?"
"Because no one but Karl must break the news of our marriage to his father. No, no. I dare not. I dare not. I cannot break my oath. I should be false to the Holy Church." And at the mere thought of it she began to tremble.
It was clever; a stroke of almost diabolical cleverness; knowing the simple, trusting child, to close her lips by such an oath.
"You will not betray us?" she cried, taking alarm at my silence and serious expression. "You are my friend?"
"Yes, I am your friend, my dear, and will always be, if you want one."
She was a very tender little thing, and as I kissed her she threw her arms round my neck and clung to me. "And now, I'll give you some other advice--to go to bed; and after a night's rest, I daresay we shall see our way."
After I had seen her into bed and shown her that her room opened into mine, I went downstairs to think over all she had told me, all the tangle of trouble ahead for her, and its possible effects upon my course.
It was quite late when at length I went to bed; and I was lying unable to sleep in my perplexed anxiety when I heard her call out as if in fear. I started up and then she came running into my room.
"Are you awake, Christabel?"
"What is it, dear?"
"I have had a dream and am frightened. Let me come to you."
And just like a child she crept into my bed and into my arms.
"I dreamt that Karl was dead and that my father had killed him," she moaned. "And he was going to kill me and my child when I screamed out and woke."
Was it an omen? The thought stayed with me long after I had calmed her fright and soothed her to sleep.
God help the helpless, trustful, clinging child! It might well be an omen, indeed. My heart was heavy for her and her trouble.
CHAPTER VII
GARETH'S FATHER
The next day was a busy one for me, for I had to find a place in which Gareth could remain safely hidden.
This I felt to be impracticable in my present house. I had rented it on first coming to Pesth, and it was recorded as my address in the register of the University. It was, of course, certain that Count Gustav would have every possible inquiry made about me; and if he or his agents came to the house, Gareth's presence would at once become known.
Fortunately, I had already commenced some negotiations to take a villa in a secluded part of the hilly district of Buda; and my first step that morning was to go out and complete the matter, so that I could remove that day. I wrote to Madame d'Artelle that I was called out of Pesth, and should return to her on the following day.
I knew quite enough of Count Gustav already to be fully aware that my discovery of 

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