I saw it all clearly enough now, although her situation was not quite as desperate to my mind as it appeared to her. Yet it might result even as she feared, for Pickney would certainly be furious at the indignity of his treatment, and Raymond was of a disposition to seek revenge; while all I knew regarding Ramsay was, that he was a rigid disciplinarian, little given to acts of mercy. I could not ignore her plea, nor would I misconstrue it. It was fear which thus drove her to me; she had more confidence in my kindness than in their justice—that was the whole story. The poor girl was so frightened she had chosen blindly—she could perceive nothing, realize nothing, except the necessity for immediate escape. My own resolve was instant.
"Do not say any more, Noreen," I said soberly, but making no attempt to touch her. "I understand now. You mean you wish to ride with me?"
"Yes."
"It will be a hard journey, and I cannot guess the end. But you trust me fully?"
"Yes."
"We are to be friends, real friends?"
"I trust you; is not that enough? All I ask now is, do not leave me here alone."
Her fingers clasped my coat, her eyes suddenly lifted to my face.
