But I failed in
that. You must remember they are my father and my brother.'
"'I will not betray them,' said I.
"She smiled. It was a wintry gleam but it ineffably softened her face.
I became conscious of a movement of pity towards her.
"'You have a hard lot,' remarked I. 'Your life must be a sad one.'
"She flashed upon me one glance of her dark eye. 'I was born for
hardship,' said she, 'but--' and a sudden wild shudder seized her,
'but not for crime.'
"The word fell like a drop of blood wrung from her heart.
"'Good heavens!' cried I, 'and must you--'
"'No,' rang from her lips in a clarion-like peal; 'some things cut the
very bonds of nature. I am not called upon to cleave to what will
drag me into infamy.' Then calmly, as if speaking of the most ordinary
matter in the world, 'I shall never go back to that house we have
left behind us, sir.'
"'But,' cried I, glancing at her scanty garments, 'where will you go?
What will you do? You are young--'
"'And very strong,' she interrupted. 'Do not fear for me.' And her
smile was like a burst of sudden sunshine.
"I said no more that night.
"But when in the morning I stumbled upon her sitting in the kitchen
reading a book not only above her position but beyond her years, a
sudden impulse seized me and I asked her if she would like to be
educated.
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