men had--had--had"--

I seized her in my arm, and made her drink from my brandy flask. In a
moment the color came back to her lips, and she drew away.

"I have never done this before," she explained unsteadily. "Never
since my capture. I suppose it is because--because you know. And so I
cannot play the man. Monsieur, believe me. I would never have come
with you, never, if I had not felt sure of myself. Sure that I could
play my part, and that you would not know. I--I--tried, a little, to
make you understand there at the commandant's, and when I saw that you
were really blind I thought that I was safe. Believe me, monsieur."

I handed her my flask. "Drink more," I commanded. I took the blanket
and wrapped it around her though the air was still warm. "You must not
let yourself have chills in this fashion if you would save your
strength. Madame, I believe nothing about you that is not brave and
admirable. Are you Madame Starling, and is Benjamin your husband that
you took his name to shield you, and even repeated the name in your
dreams?"

She looked at me, and I felt rebuked for something that had been in my
tone. "I am unmarried," she said steadily. "Benjamin Starling is a
cousin. Monsieur, there is nothing left either of us but to let me go.
Oh, if I could live this day over and be more careful! How was it, how
was it that I let you know?"

I walked away. A frightened mink ran across my feet, and I cursed at
it. Then I walked back.