"'Won't you come?' she whispered, turning her face towards me with a
look of such potent determination, I followed in spite of myself 'I
dare not let you stay here, your blood will be upon my head.'
"'You exaggerate,' I replied, shrinking back with a longing look at
the comfortable bed I had just left. 'These old houses are always
strong. It will take many such a gust as that you hear, to overturn
it, I assure you.'
"'I exaggerate!' she returned with a look of scorn impossible to
describe. 'Hark!' she said, 'hear that.'
"I did hear, and I must acknowledge that it seemed is if we were about
to be swept from our foundations.
"'Yes,' said I, 'but it is a fearful night to be out in.'
"'I shall go with you,' said she.
"'In that case--' I began with an ill-advised attempt at gallantry
which she cut short with a gesture.
"'Here is your hat,' remarked she, 'and here is your bag. The
fishing-pole must remain, you cannot carry it.'
"'But,--' I expostulated.
"'Hush!' said she with her ear turned towards the depths of the
staircase at the top of which we stood. 'My father and brother will
think as you do that it is folly to leave the shelter of a roof for
the uncertainties of the road on such a night as this, but you must
not heed them. I tell you shelter this night is danger, and that the
only safety to be found is on the stormy highway.
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