then. I've got a little money of my own that my godmother left me. I was twenty-one the other day. I don't get it, of course. My father says it costs that to keep me. But if I were to run away he would have to give it to me, wouldn't he? And then I could pay you back what you spent on me. Oh, I wish I could. Will you really take me?" But he had had time to think. "No," he said, "on reflection, I don't think I will." But she did not hear him, for as he spoke she spoke, too. "Hush!" she said. "Look — look there." Across the park, near the house, lights were moving. "They're looking for me," she gasped. "They've found out that I'm away. Oh, what shall I do? Aunt Loo will never be decent to me again. What shall I do?" [58] [58] "Come with me," he said, strongly. "I'll take care of you. Come." He took her hand. "I swear by God," he said, "that everything shall be as you choose. Only come now—come away from these people. You're twenty-one. You're your own mistress. Let me help you to get free from all this stuffy, stupid tyranny." "You won't make me marry you?" she asked. "I can't make you do anything," he said. "But if you're coming, it must be now." "Come, then," she said, making for the ladder. [59] [59] VI "Sit here a moment," he said, "while I get rid of the ladder." He lowered it gently, drew the string up, leaped to the ground outside the wall, and held up his hands to her. "Jump," he whispered. "I'll catch you." But even as he spoke she had turned and was hanging by her hands. He let her do it her own way. She dropped expertly, landing with a little rebound. He was glad he had not tried to catch her. It would have been a poor beginning to their comradeship if he had, at the very outset, shown
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