but was very pale.
Then he yielded to the horse, and, turning, led him back toward the
cabin. She drew a long sigh of relief then, and glanced at him, and
they both laughed.

"You see I am the coward, to only make believe I am not afraid. I am
very afraid, and now more than always will I be afraid when that you
go to hunt. 'Arry King, go no more alone." Her voice was low and
pleading. "There is much to do. I will teach you to speak the French,
like you have once said you wish to learn. Then is the book to write.
Is much to do that is very pleasant. But of those wild lions on the
hills, they are not for a man to fight alone." He restrained the
horse, and walked slowly at her side, his hand on the pommel of the
saddle, but did not speak. "You promise not? All night you stay in the
cold, where is danger, and how may I know you will not again do such a
thing? All is beautiful here, and great happiness may be if--if that
you do no tragedy." So sweetly did she plead he could no longer remain
silent.

"There is only one happiness for me in life, Amalia, and that is
forbidden me. I have expiation to make before I may ask happiness of
heaven. You have been most patient with my silences--always--will you
be patient still--and--understand?"

She drew in her breath sharply and turned her face away from him, and
for a moment was silent; then she spoke. Her voice was very low, and
very sweet. "What is right, that must be. Always."

Then they spoke again of Madam Manovska, and Amalia opened her heart
to him as never before. It seemed as if she would turn his thoughts
from whatever sorrow might be hanging over him, and impress him with
the feeling that no matter what might be the cause of his reserve, or
what wrong he might have done, her faith in him remained unshaken. It
was a sweet return for his stammered confession.

CHAPTER XXIII

A DISCOURSE ON LYING

All day Larry Kildene slept, hardly waking long enough toward
nightfall to drink his broth, but the next day he was refreshed and
merry.

"Leave Madam Manovska alone," he admonished Harry. "Take Amalia off
for another ride, and I'll go down to the cabin, and if there's a way
to set her mind at rest about her husband, I'll find it. I'd not be
willing to take an oath on what I may tell her, but it will be
satisfying, never fear."

The ride was a short one, for the air was chill, and there were more
signs of snow, but when they returned to the cabin, they found La