She recovered in an instant, and threw up entrenchments against the attack she saw he was about to make.
"You exaggerate, I trust," said she.

"Your forebodings will be proved groundless.

You will return safe and sound from this venture, as indeed I hope you may." That was his cue.

"You hope it ?" he cried, arresting his step, turning, and imprisoning her left hand in his right.

"You hope it?
Ah, if you hope for my return, return I will; but unless I know that you will have some welcome for me such as I desire from you, I think..." his voice quivered cleverly, "I think, perhaps, it were well if...