can you hope to accomplish in all this wicked and bloody business that now confronts us? How can I do my duty — how perform it to the letter — with you beside me — with my very heart chilling to water at thought of your peril — — ”

“Hush, dearest lad,” she whispered, tightening her fingers on my sleeve. “All in the world I care for lies in this place where we now stand — or near it. Have I not told you that I must go to Catharines-town? How could I remain behind when every tie I have in all the world was tugging at my heart to draw me hither? You ask me what I can do — what I can hope to accomplish. God knows — but my mother and my lover are here — and how could I stay away if there was a humble chance that I might do some little thing to aid her — to aid you, Euan?