She hid her face instead, burning and quivering still from the touch of
those passionate lips, hid it low against her lover's breast, too shamed
even for speech.

There came a movement, the halting movement of a lame man, and she heard
Scott's voice. It pierced her intolerably, perfectly gentle though it
was.

"I am sorry to intrude," he said. "But Isabel begged me to come and look
for--Dinah." His pause before the name was scarcely perceptible, but that
also pierced her through and through. "I don't think she is quite equal
to this."

Sir Eustace uttered his faint, contemptuous laugh. "You hear, Dinah?" he
said. "This gallant knight has come to your rescue. Look up and tell him
if you want to be rescued!"

But she could not look up. She could, only cling to him in voiceless
abasement. There was a brief silence, and then she felt his hand upon her
head. He spoke again, the sneering note gone from his voice though it
still held a faint inflection of sardonic humour.

"You needn't be anxious, most worthy Scott. Leave her to me for five
minutes, and I will undertake to return her to Isabel in good condition!
You're not wanted for the moment, man. Can't you see it?"

That moved Dinah. She lifted her head from its shelter, and found her
voice.

"Oh, don't send him away:" she entreated. "He--he--it was very kind of