Silently and unreservedly to accept such a sacrifice, while the offerer
was resolved not to count the cost, transcended even the cynicism of
Royston Keene. He grasped her arm as though to arrest her attention, and
almost involuntarily broke from his lips words of solemn warning.
"Let me go on my way alone, while there is time. It is hard to touch
pitch and keep undefiled. Child, you are too pure to estimate your
danger. If you remained as innocent as one of God's angels, the world
would still condemn you."
Her slender fingers twined themselves round his wrist, so tenderly!--and
she bent down her soft cheek till its blush was hidden on his hand. Then
she looked up in his face with a bright, trustful smile.
"Great happiness can not be bought without a price. I fear no reproach
so much as that of my own conscience. Do not think I delude myself as to
the risk I am incurring. But if I am innocent, I shall never hear or
heed what the world may say; if I am guilty, I have no right to complain
of its scorn."
Hardened unbeliever as he was, Royston could have bowed himself there,
and worshiped at her feet. But he would not confess his admiration,
still less betray his triumph.
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