She stood resting her arm on mine to support her, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at me. And in her eyes I saw her heart was breaking as she stood there.

“Lana! Lanette! Little comrade! What is this dreadful thing that crushes you? Could you not tell me?” I whispered.

“Ask him, Euan.”

“Lana, why will you not marry him, if you love him so?”

She shuddered and closed her eyes.

Neither of us spoke again. Lois, watching us, came slowly toward us, and linked her arm in Lana’s.

“Our batteau is waiting,” she said quietly.

I continued to preserve