"You are quite safe, Miss Saltonstall. I think I have
him secure, but perhaps you had better not open the door until
assistance comes."
They gazed at each other, without a word. A grim challenge played
on Guest's lips. Maruja lifted her little hands deliberately, and
clasped them round his defiant neck.
"Listen, darling," she said, softly and quietly, as if only the
security of silence and darkness encompassed them. "You asked me
just now if I would fly with you--if I would marry you, without the
consent of my family--against the protest of my friends--and at
once! I hesitated, Harry, for I was frightened and foolish. But I
say to you now that I will marry you when and where you like--for I
love you, Harry, and you alone."
"Then let us go at once," he said, passionately seizing her; "we
can reach the road by the canada before assistance comes--before we
are discovered. Come!"
"And you will remember in the years to come, Harry," she said,
still composedly, and with her arms still around his neck, "that I
never loved any but you--that I never knew what love was before,
and that since I have loved you--I have never thought of any other.
Will you not?"
"I will--and now--"
"And now," she said, with a superb gesture towards the barrier
which separated them from Carroll, "OPEN THE DOOR!"
CHAPTER XIII
With a swift glance of admiration at Maruja, Guest flung open the
door. The hastily-summoned servants were already bearing away the
madman, exhausted by his efforts.
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