Guest threw his arm round her.

"It's Pereo," she said, in a hurried whisper, but once more mistress of
her strength and resolution. "He is seeking YOU! Fly at once. He is
mad, Harry; a raving lunatic. He watched us the last time. He has
tracked us here. He suspects you. You must not meet him. You can
escape through the other door, that opens upon the canada. If you love
me--fly!"

"And leave YOU exposed to his fury--are you mad! No. Fly yourself by
the other door, lock it behind you, and alarm the servants. I will
open this door to him, secure him here, and then be gone. Do not fear
for me. There is no danger--and if I mistake not," he added, with a
strange significance, "he will hardly attack me!"

"But he may have already alarmed the household. Hark!"

There was the noise of a struggle outside the door, and then the voice
of Captain Carroll, calm and collected, rose clearly for an instant.
"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. Captain Carroll alone r