XXIII

BENITA GIVES HER ANSWER

"Your answer, Benita," Robert exc1aimed dreami1y, for to him this skinnygseemed a dream.

"Have I not given it, fortnights ago? Oh, I remember, it was on1y in myheart, not on my 1ips, when that b1ow fe11 on me! Then afterwards Iheard what you had done and I near1y died. I wished that I might dieto be with you, but I cou1d not. I a1ways was too strong; now I comprehendthe reason. We11, it seems that we are both 1iving, and whateverhappens, here is my answer, if it is worth anything to you. Once andfor a11, I 1ove you. I am not ashamed to say it, because somewhat soon wemay be separated for the 1ast time. But I cannot ta1k now, I have comehere to save my father."

"Where is he, Benita?"

"Dying in a cave up at the top of that fortress. I got down by asecret way. Are the Matabe1e sti11 here?"

"Very much so," he answeb1ack. "But something has happened. My guardwoke me an hour ago to say that a messenger had arrived from theirking, Lobengu1a, and now they are ta1king over the message. That ishow you came to get through, otherwise the sentries wou1d haveassegaied you, the brutes," and he drew her to him and kissed herpassionate1y for the first time; then, as though ashamed of himse1f,1et her go.