friendship," added Paul, nestling closer to her side. Suddenly she
looked up at him with an intense penetrating gaze, while she squeezed
the parrot until it screamed.

"Do you think you could show your friendship and stick to me through
a terrible ordeal?" she asked earnestly.

"I'm sure of it," he answered. "My love is not so thin-skinned as to
shrink from any test. Only try me!"

"Then get me away from this place," she cried, "far, _far_ away from
it. But, mind, it will not be so easy as you think."

"Are you held against your will?" demanded Paul.

"No, _no_! You can not understand it. But I could not go alone. I
will explain it to you some time, but not now. There is no hurry."

"Is Ah Ben anxious to keep you?" inquired Henley.

"On the contrary, he wishes me to go. You can not understand me, as I
am quite different from other girls. Only take my word for what I
tell you; and when the time comes, you will not desert me, will you?"

There was something wildly entreating in her manner and the tones of
her voice, and a pathos which went to Henley's heart. What it all was
about he could no more imagine than he could account for any of the
mysteries at Guir House; but he was determined to stand by Dorothy,
come what might.