"No harm shall come to him." He paused, and then added with a slight
effort: "One of the sentries shall accompany you."
"No, no," she answered energetically. "That is not necessary. I would
rather go alone."
He pointed upward to the sky, whose blue was deepening into the violet
shades of night.
"It will be dark before you reach your destination," he said. "Are you not
afraid?"
She laughed merrily.
"Of what should I be afraid? There are no maneaters about here, as I
understand. As for men, I am prepared to encounter at least six of them.
Look!" She drew from the bosom of her dress a small revolver of exquisite
workmanship, and held it out to him. "It has all six chambers loaded," she
added.
He took the weapon, pretending to examine it; but his pulses had
recommenced their painful beating, and he saw nothing but her face.
"Are all Englishwomen so brave and beautiful?"
This time she did not laugh at the simplicity of the question.
"Come and see," she answered boldly. He said nothing, and she went on: "At
any rate, I must go now. My people will be very anxious, and I have so
much to tell them. They will envy me the privilege I have enjoyed of
seeing your wonderful gardens. I shall tell them how kind you have been to
a foolish wanderer."
"If the gardens please you, they are always open to you," he said.
She shook her head sadly.
"I am afraid it is not possible. You see, I could not come alone.
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