Part 38 (1/2)
It moved her a little, for if she maintained a hostile attitude, at least she put aside her scorn
”No wrongs,” she told him, al chivalry, in dishonouring your th to persecute a woman Whatever the causes that may have led to it, you have fallen too low, sir, to make it possible that I should trust you”
He bowed his head under the rebuke which already he had uttered in his own heart It was just and nized its justice he found it impossible to resent it
”I know,” he said ”But I a you to trust me to my profit, but to your own It is for your sake alone that I implore you to do this” Upon a sudden inspiration he drew the heavy dagger froirdle and proffered it, hilt foreood faith,” he said, ”take this knife hich to-night you atten that I am false to my trust, use it as you will--upon me or upon yourself”
She pondered him in some surprise Then slowly she put out her hand to take the weapon, as he bade her
”Are you not afraid,” she asked him, ”that I shall use it now, and soyou,” he said, ”that in return you ainst the worst For if it comes to choice between death and Asad, I shall approve your choice of death But let me add that it were foolish to choose death whilst yet there is a chance of life”
”What chance?” she asked, with a faint return of her old scorn ”The chance of life with you?”
”No,” he answered firmly ”If you will trust me, I swear that I will seek to undo the evil I have done Listen At dawn aleasse sets out upon a raid I will convey you secretly aboard and find a way to land you in some Christian country--Italy or France--whence you ain”
”But meanwhile,” she reminded him, ”I shall have become your wife”
He sht convince you ofupon a Christian, and I shall account it no e It will be no more than a pretence to shelter you until we are away”
”How can I trust your word in that?”
”How?” He paused, baffled; but only for a nantly
She stood considering, her eyes upon the weapon's lividly gleae?” she asked ”How is it to take place?”
He explained to her then that by the Muslim law all that was required was a declaration made before a kadi, or his superior, and in the presence of witnesses He was still at his explanation when from below there came a sound of voices, the tramp of feet, and the flash of torches
”Here is Asad returning in force,” he cried, and his voice trembled ”Do you consent?”
”But the kadi?” she inquired, and by the question he knew that she on to his way of saving her
”I said the kadi or his superior Asad himself shall be our priest, his followers our witnesses”
”And if he refuses? He will refuse!” she cried, clasping her hands before her in her excitement
”I shall not ask hier hie himself for what he must deeht of that, too But it is a risk we er,” she cried fearlessly
”And for me there will be the rope or the sword,” he answered ”Be calm!
They come!”