In Direst Peril Part 29

"Suppose," said Violet, "that I had been away, as you thought I was, you would have gone to prison."

"Not for long," I answered. "I should have told my story, and you would have believed it all the same."

"I should have believed it all the same," she said. "Do you know, John, I should think myself and the whole world all mad together rather than believe that you were not true and honest." A second later she laughed and blushed divinely. "As if there were any need of saying that!" she cried, and then and there she gave me the first kiss I had not had to pray for.

She had endured the whole strange position until then with the pluck and steadfastness of a man, but there she broke down and cried a little, realizing all the perils which had beset her father, and his strange escape from it.

"We will take the money ourselves," she said, when she had recovered from this natural emotion. "There shall be no further danger of the poor darling being trapped by those wicked Austrians if we can help it."

And there I saw an inspiration, and hailed it with delight, and took immediate advantage of it.

"My darling," I said, "we can't travel together by ourselves, and Lady Rollinson, I am afraid, is hardly likely to consent to be my fellow-traveller for some time to come."

"I hadn't thought of that," she answered. "Of course we can't travel together. But will you go alone, or shall I? I could take my maid, and I am used to travelling."

"Let us go together, my dear," I urged her. "Let us never be parted again. Let us give no more chances to well-meaning but foolish old ladies to divide us."

She put me aside, and found a host of reasons; but though I am not strong in argument, I managed to combat and confute them all, and she said "Yes" at last. And so I not only turned burglar in her cause, but won my wife by it; for within five days we were married by special license.

Thus this queer story comes to an end, or, rather, like all the stories I have read and heard, glides off into a new one. Everybody knows the history of the last glorious war for Italian independence. I was in the thick of it, I thank Heaven, and so was the Count Rossano, and so was good old Hinge; and while we marched and fought, my dear Violet took her share; for there was no ministering hand in the camp hospitals more constant or more tender, no voice and face better loved and known than hers. We are old folks now, and have lived to prove each other as only married people can; but the greatest pride I have is that at this hour she is no more a.s.sured of the righteousness of my intent than she was at the instant when she found me with confession on my lips and every sign of guilt openly displayed about me.

Love is a great treasure. Truth and loyalty are among man's greatest possessions. But the truest solace to the human soul is perfect trust.

THE END