in surprise at the change
which had taken place in her expression. "What do you intend to do?" was
his quick demand. "You look as I have never seen you look before."

"Do not ask me!" she returned. "I have no words for what I am going to
do. What _you_ must do is to see that Gouverneur Hildreth is released
from prison. He is not guilty, mind you; he never committed this crime
of which he is suspected, and in the shame of which suspicion he has
this day attempted his life. If he is kept in the restraint which is so
humiliating to him, and if he dies there, it will be murder--do you
hear? murder! And he _will_ die there if he is not released; I know his
feelings only too well."

"But, Imogene----"

"Hush! don't argue. 'Tis a matter of life and death, I tell you. He must
be released! I know," she went on, hurriedly, "what it is you want to
say. You think you cannot do this; that the evidence is all against him;
that he went to prison of his own free will and cannot hope for release
till his guilt or innocence has been properly inquired into. But I know
you can effect his enlargement if you will. You are a lawyer, and
understand all the crooks and turns by which a man can sometimes be made
to evade the grasp of justice. Use your knowledge. Avail yourself of
your influence with the authorities, and I----" she paused and gave him
a long, long look.

He was at her side in an instant.

"You would--what?" he cried, taking her hand in his and pressing it
impulsively.

"I would grant you whatever you ask," she murmured, in a weariful tone.

"Would you be my wife?" he passionately inquired.

"Yes," was the choked reply; "if I did not die first."

He caught her to his breast in rapture. He knelt at her side and threw
his arms about her waist.

"You shall not die," he cried. "You shall live and be happy. Only marry
me to-day."

"Not till Gouverneur Hildreth be released," she interposed, gently.

He started as if touched by a galvanic battery, and slowly rose up and
coldly looked at her.

"Do you love him so madly you would sell yourself for his sake?" he
sternly demanded.

With a quick gesture she threw back her head as though the indignant
"No" that sprang to her lips would flash out whether she would or not.
But she restrained herself in time.

"I cannot answer," she returned.

But he was master now--master of this dominating spirit that had held
him in check for so long a time, and he was not to be put off.