126
A NEWPORT AQUARELLE.
he was quite restored, Gladys, turning her face from him, said,—
"You have saved my life—and I am very grateful to you! May I ask you a great favor?"
"Need you doubt it?"
"It is this, that you will never mention what has happened to-day to any one. Promise me. Do not even speak of it to me. I cannot bear to think of it. It was too terrible."
"Yes, I will promise on one condition."
"And that is?"
"That you will swear to me never to risk your precious life again so wilfully, so wickedly."
"It should be a precious life?"
"It is dearer to me than my own."
"Well, I promise. Now pledge me your word."
She held out to him her delicate hand, white as snow, pink as apple blossoms. The man touched it with his own strong fingers.
