"Think you this is news, my pretty Grace? How strange to hear these things retold after so many days! I'm long since schooled to this cold truth. Dear heart, your eyes never hid a secret--nor your soul! I know--I know everything--all that you feel--all the sorrow you've suffered for me--all that you cannot say--all--all--to the secret prayers you've prayed to Christ about it! Suffer no more. The man you love will soon be free to stand between you and trouble. And you'll never quite forget me neither--never forget me--I know that. I'm content; and I'm selfish too, you see. I've claimed one great payment--the right to rescue you, and the joy of it. 'Twill be his turn next. I'm saving you for him. You can trust me if he does?"
"Whom should we trust? We're both in prison now. 'Trust you'! faithful, generous John!"
"You must be so good as your word at once then. Your banns have been asked out thrice. To-day is Saturday; you are to be married on Monday. The date is changed. Putt brought me the news where I dwell now. I have returned to my grandmother. There's much to tell about what's doing at the War Prison, and about him--Master Stark--but that must wait until you're safe."
"They have plotted to marry me--to dash me into it by a surprise?"
"No, no--what's one girl against two resolute and determined men? Terrible things happen--women have been drugged as maids and come to their senses wives. Don't pit yourself against them. Stark knows that you must escape."
"If he wishes it--if you wish it--yes. But not now. To-morrow night, John."
"All's ready. Your parents shall learn that you are safe and well. But to find you will be beyond power of man. So that you can trust me----"
"To-morrow night, then, I'll be furnished for flight. To-morrow--kiss me, John."
"For yourself. Is not my life worth that? Yet 'tis poor payment for a poor thing."
He bent over her and folded her in his arms. She felt his young heart against her own. Then he kissed her lips.
"Your lover no more; your slave for ever," he said.
A moment later he had descended to earth, and Grace shed tears for the first time since her imprisonment. She drew up the ladder as he directed, hid it close and watched John Lee vanish into the dim dawn. Then she turned into her room and felt already that it was a memory of the past--a nest of youthful joys and sorrows, of many a girlish fancy and old dead dream, now left behind for ever.