It is impossible that
such a thing can be in America. But you must go--you must seek the law's
aid--"
"How do you know I dare--"
"I don't know--that you dare!"
"I know that you have a great heart and that I love you," he said.
She turned quickly toward the bridge as though to retrace her steps.
"I can't be paid for a slight, a very slight service by fair words, Mr.
Armitage. If you knew why I came--"
"If I dared think or believe or hope--"
"You will dare nothing of the kind, Mr. Armitage!" she replied; "but I
will tell you, that I came out of ordinary Christian humanity. The idea
of friends, of even slight acquaintances, being assassinated in these
Virginia hills does not please me."
"How do you classify me, please--with friends or acquaintances?"
He laughed; then the gravity of what she was doing changed his tone.
"I am John Armitage. That is all you know, and yet you hazard your life
to warn me that I am in danger?"
"If you called yourself John Smith I should do exactly the same thing. It
makes not the slightest difference to me who or what you are."
"You are explicit!" he laughed.
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