I have been honest with you.

I love you.

I will fight for you if it is necessary--but you must tell me--tell me--" His breath was hot in her face, and she stared at him as if what she heard robbed her of the power of speech.
"Won't you tell me ?" he whispered, more softly.

"Meleese--" She made no effort to resist him as he drew her once more in his arms, crushing her sweet lips to his own.

"Meleese, won't you tell me ?" Suddenly she lifted her hands to his face and pushed back his head, looking squarely into his eyes.
"If I tell you," she said softly, "and in telling you I betray those whom I love, will you promise to bring harm to none of them, but go--go back into the South ?" "And leave you ?" "Yes--and leave me." There was the faintest tremor of a sob in the voice which she was trying so hard to control.