I could have promised him more than my word in that moment.

He smiled. "I know that I can trust you. I have seen that you have a
loyal heart; but this promise shan't cost you anything. I shall answer
no questions. Now, I shall have to send a message to Senora Valencia."

"Oh, do not," I begged. "She will stop you from going back. You don't
know what she is capable of; she can do anything!"

"No one can undo what you have done," he said. "She will not stop me.
I must send her a word to tell her she is to go away on the lugger
without me."

"But why?" I cried. "I am afraid to have you go near the house. I
know I shall never see you again."

"Come, you must be brave. I am only going to write a line and slip it
under the gate. We must not be cruel if we are righteous, you know."

I hardly understood his scruple, but the determination of his voice
made me feel that it was right. Thus reassured the practical question
rose as to what there was he could write with or upon. We should have
to be quick, for already, the first pale change, which is scarcely dawn
but only that fading of the deepest blue of night, was in the sky. He
fumbled in all his pockets, and in the folds of his sash. We explored
the seat and the floor of the carriage. In my eagerness my cloak
slipped from my shoulders, and as he drew it up around me again, with
nervous fingers fastening the clasps across the bosom, "What is that?"
he asked suddenly.

I put my hand down and it touched a stiff little edge of paper
thrusting from my girdle. I drew it out. It was my dance program. I
had quite forgotten about it. One side of it was scrawled thickly with
names, but most of the other side was clear, and the little white
pencil was still fastened to it.

He took it from me, and holding it on the palm of his hand, "I wonder
if you have any idea what thing you are asking me to do?" he said.

I did not speak, because I felt that if I opened my mouth it would be
to say something weak and foolish, and when I had put the card into his
hand I had seen him hesitate; so I knew that he needed all my strength.
He bent his head and began to write slowly and laboriously because of
the swinging of the carriage; and, letting down the window, I put my
head out and addressed the driver who was hunched up like a shivering
bird on his high seat.

"Drive to the Senora Valencia's house." For perhaps an hour he had
been jogging us around and around the Squa