ng now, Mr. King?" she asked, after
a long interval.

He would not tell her how helpless he was, even with his hands free. So
he smiled bravely and sought to reassure her with the most imposing
boasts he could utter. She began to breathe easier; the light in her
eyes grew brighter, more hopeful.

"We must escape," she said, as if it were all settled.

"It cannot be to-night," he gently informed her, a sickness attacking
her heart. "Don't you think you'd better try to get some sleep?"

He prevailed upon her to lie down, with his coat for a pillow. In two
minutes she was asleep.

For an hour or more he sat there, looking sorrowfully at the tired,
sweet face, the utmost despair in his soul. At last he stretched himself
out on the floor, near the door, and as he went to sleep he prayed that
Providence might open a way for him to prove that she was not depending
on him in vain.

CHAPTER XIII

A DIVINITY SHAPES

It was pitch dark when he awoke.

"By heaven, it was a dream, after all," he murmured. "Well, thank God
for that. She isn't in this damnable hole. And," with a quickening of
the blood, "she hasn't said she was going to marry Vos Engo."

The sound of light breathing came to his ears. He sat up. His hands were
free. It had not been a dream. She _was_ lying over there asleep. The
candle had burnt itself out, that was all. He crept softly across the
floor; in the darkness he found her, and touched the garments she
wore--and drew back enthralled. A strange joy filled him; she was his
for the time being. They were equals in this direful, unlovely place;
royal prejudice stood for nothing here. The mad desire to pick her up in
his arms and hold her close came over him--only to perish as quickly as
it flamed. What was he thinking of?

She stirred restlessly as he crept back to the door. The sharp, quick
intake of her breath told him that she was awake. He stopped and utter
silence fell upon the room.

A little moan escaped her lips: "Who is it? Why is it so dark? What--"

"It is I," he whispered eagerly. "King. Don't be afraid. The candle
burnt out while we were asleep. I did not intend to sleep. I'm sorry. We
can't have a light now until some one comes in the morning. Don't be
afraid."

"I am afraid. Where are you?"

"Here!" He hastened to her side. As he came up she touched his face
with her hand timorously. He caught the wayward fingers in his own and
held them, drawing quite close to her. "It's