But she knew his secret, she knew that he loved her, and therefore every remorseful, loyal word he spoke praised him more than it praised his master.

And it happened that just as they came to the outskirts of the village, she dropped a handkerchief which hung loosely about her neck.

For a moment she did not remark her loss; when she did and turned, she saw that her companion was rising from the ground on which no handkerchief longer lay, and that he had his right hand in his breast.

She turned again without a word, and walked forward.

But she knew that kerchief was against his heart, and the cloud still grew..