He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.

For almost the first time since they had met they were upon the point of awkwardness.

Light speech failed them for the moment, the gravity of the situation began to come home to both of them.

Indeed, who were they?
What were they to the public under whose notice they might fall--indeed, must fall?
There was no concealing face and figure of a woman such as this; no, not in any corner of the world, though she were shrouded in oriental veil.

Nay, were she indeed tied in a sack and flung into the sea, yet would she arise to make trouble for mankind until her allotted task should be complete! How could they two answer any question which might arise regarding their errand, or regarding their relations as they stood, here at the gateway of the remoter country into which they were departing?
How far must their journey together continue?
What would be said regarding them?
Carlisle found it impossible to answer such questions.