, which, while they
illuminated the circle of bushrangers, only threw into deeper darkness
the corners of the room.

"You will go, dear," muttered Hollis, "if only for the sake of that
plucky woman."

"I will do what you tell me," she whispered. "I can't bear to leave you,
Tom; if they should find out they will kill you. Oh, Tom, Tom!"

"They won't find out," he said soothingly. "They haven't counted you, nor
noticed you much yet. And Mrs. Warner is wonderfully plucky. You ought
to try and save her and those girls. Bessie, you don't know what fiends
those men can be."

"Yes I do," she said, and he felt her hand tremble; "that is why I don't
want to anger them. They have made you responsible, and I 'm afraid--I
'm afraid to leave. Don't you think they 'll go in an hour or two--just
take what they want and go?"

"No, I don't," he said. "They are in for a drinking bout now, and God
knows what they'll do before it's ended. Darling, for your own sake--for
the sake of the others, for my sake, even--you must risk it and get away
if you can. We ought to have help before midnight."

"Bessie," said Mrs. Warner, "come and help me to put the two little ones
to bed. Mr.--I beg his pardon--Captain Mopoke says he doesn't mind."

"None of your larks now, missis," said the Mopoke; "you jest mind what
yer about, or I 'll let daylight into yer gallant defender there."

"That's the way," whispered Hollis tenderly; "go now--go, dear."

She lifted his hand to her breast in the obscurity, and stooping, laid
her face against it.

"My darling," he said passionately, "God bless you, my darling; it will
be all right, I know. And remember, dear--you won't be angry--remember,
I have loved you so. I think I have always loved you, Bessie."

The men round the table were in high good humour, joking with each
other and the two Irish servants, who were beginning to think that being
"stuck up" was not so terrible after all, while the cook took her apron
from her face and joined in the chaff. Hollis was thankful for it. It
enabled him to say what he had to say unobserved, for even his guard,
feeling sure of him, gave more heed to his comrades' sayings and doings.
His broken wrist made him feel sick and faint, and it was only by a
strong effort of will he kept his senses at all. If only he could see
Bessie safe out of it!

"Go, dear," he whispered again, "go to Mrs. Warner."

"Tom," she whispered, her face still against his hand, "I love you,