aught in a trap from which you are powerless to release yourself.
And now listen to me. There is a way out--only one way,
mademoiselle--and if you are wise you will take it, without delay. There
is only one man in Maritas who can save you. So far as I know, there is
only one man willing to attempt it. That man holds you already in the
hollow of his hand. You will be wise to make terms with him while you
can."

His tone was curiously calm, almost cynical. His eyes were still fixed
unswervingly upon her face. They beat down the haughty surprise with
which for a few seconds she encountered them.

"Yes, mademoiselle," he resumed quietly, as though she had spoken. "He
is a man whom you despise from the bottom of your soul; but for all
that, he is not wholly despicable. Nor is he incapable of deserving your
trust if you will bestow it upon him. It is all a question of trust." He
smiled grimly at the word. "Whatever you expect from him, that you will
receive in full measure. He does not disappoint his friends--or his
enemies."

He paused. She was listening with eyes downcast, but her face was a
very mask of cold disdain.

"Monsieur," she said, with stately deliberation, "I do
not--wholly--understand you. But it would be wasting your time and my
own to ask you to explain. As I said before, in the event of a crisis I
can secure my own safety."

"Nevertheless," said Pierre Dumaresq with a deliberation even greater
than her own, "I will explain, since a clear understanding seems to me
advisable. I am asking you to marry me, Mademoiselle Stephanie, in order
to ensure your safety. It is practically your only alternative now, and
it must be taken at once. I shall know how to protect my wife. Marry me,
and I will take you out of the city to my home on the other side of the
island. My yacht is there in readiness, and escape at any time would be
easy."

"Escape, monsieur!" Sharply she broke in upon him. Her coldness was all
gone in a sudden flame of indignation kindled by the sheer arrogance of
his bearing. "Escape from whom--from what?"

He was silent an instant, almost as if disconcerted. Then:

"Escape from your enemies, mademoiselle," he rejoined sternly. "Escape
from the mercy of the mob, which is all you can expect if you stay
here."

Her eyes flashed over him in a single, searing glance of the most utter,
the most splendid contempt. Then:

"You are more than kind, Monsieur Dumaresq," she said. "But your
suggestion d