Once in awhile you will go out upon the
balcony and take a look. You see, I am afraid of someone. Oh, Baldos,
what's the use of my trifling like this? You are to escape from
Edelweiss to-night. That is the whole plan--the whole idea in a
nutshell. Don't look like that. Don't you want to go?" Now she was
trembling with excitement.
"I do not want to leave you," he cried eagerly. "It would be
cowardly. Marlanx would understand that you gave aid and sanction. You
would be left to face the charges he would make. Don't you see, Beverly?
You would be implicated--you would be accused. Why did you not let me
kill him? No; I will not go!" Neither noticed the name by which he had
called her.
"But I insist," she cried weakly. "You must go away from me. I--I
command you to--"
"Is it because you want to drive me out of your life forever?" he
demanded, sudden understanding coming to him.
"Don't put it that way," she murmured.
"Is it because you care for me that you want me to go?" he insisted,
drawing near. "Is it because you fear the love I bear for you?"
"Love? You don't really--Stop! Remember where you are, sir! You must not
go on with it, Baldos. Don't come a step nearer. Do go to-night! It is
for the best. I have been awfully wicked in letting it run on as it
has. Forgive me, please forgive me," she pleaded. He drew back, pale and
hurt.
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