It--it did hurt me, Lieutenant Galesworth," her voice suddenly changing into a plea, "but I believed it to be right, to be what I should do." "I understand fully; we both respect your convictions." Miles nodded gravely, but said nothing, and the girl hurried on, yet with evident relief.
"I started back to my room with that intention--your men were all at the front of the house; it would be easy to slip down the back stairs, leave by the kitchen door, and run for the stable.

I knew father would oppose my plan, and so I said nothing to him about it.

Indeed it all came to me in a flash, and, almost before I knew it I was back in my own room ready to act.

I passed out the side door into the next room, which would bring me nearer the back stairs, believing I would thus be less exposed to Major Hardy's observation.

I glanced out first, and saw him beside the front window at the opposite end of the hall.