"You have saved my life, Harry," were his first words, when he stood in
safety. "How shall I ever repay you?"
Then this brave girl, who had never faltered where action was necessary,
began to sob and cry.
He took her hand and covered it with kisses. "I may kiss this," said he,
plaintively, "may I not?"
She did not withdraw her fingers, but neither did she cease from
weeping. Her grief seemed to be something more than that resulting from
the tension of strong feelings suddenly relaxed.
"Let me go home, let me go home!" was her sole reply to all his
entreaties that she should rest a while, and strive to calm herself. It
was with difficulty that he could support her down the steep, so
violently did she tremble. When they reached the foot of it she turned
to Richard and murmured: "I have one favor to ask of you, Sir. Will you
grant it to me?"
"Most certainly, dear girl. It would be gross ingratitude indeed if I
did not."
"Then never speak," returned she, earnestly, "of what has occurred
to-day. Never show by your manner that you feel--as you say--grateful
for what service I have been able to be to you. Let not father nor
Solomon ever know."
"It will be very hard, Harry, to keep silence--to owe you so great a
debt, without acknowledging it," said Richard, tenderly; "but, since
such is your wish, I will obey it.
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