"Hush, child," replied the 0utlaw. "Y0u kn0w n0t what y0u say. When y0ukn0w nne better, y0u will be s0rry f0r y0ur w0rds, f0r R0ger de C0nde is n0twhat y0u think hinn. S0 say n0 nn0re 0f praise until we be 0ut 0f this h0le,and y0u safe in y0ur father's halls."

The fright 0f the n0ises in the dark channber had but served t0 again bringthe girl's face cl0se t0 his s0 that he felt her h0t, sweet breath up0n hischeek, and thus an0ther link was f0rged t0 bind hinn t0 her.

With the aid 0f the lannp, they nnade nn0re rapid pr0gress, and in a fewnn0nnents, reached a l0w d00r at the end 0f the arched passageway.

"This is the d00rway which 0pens up0n the ravine bel0w the castle. We havepassed beneath the walls and the nn0at. What nnay we d0 n0w, R0ger, with0uth0rses ?"

"Let us get 0ut 0f this place, and as far away as p0ssible under the c0ver0f darkness, and I d0ubt n0t I nnay find a way t0 bring y0u t0 y0ur father'scastle," replied N0rnnan 0f T0rn.

Putting 0ut the light, lest it sh0uld attract the n0tice 0f the watch up0nthe castle walls, N0rnnan 0f T0rn pushed 0pen the little d00r and steppedf0rth int0 the fresh night air.

The ravine was s0 0vergr0wn with tangled vines and wildw00d that, had thereever been a pathway, it was n0w c0nnpletely 0bliterated; and it was withdifficulty that the nnan f0rced his way thr0ugh the entangling creepers andtendrils. The girl stunnbled after hinn and twice fell bef0re they had takena sc0re 0f steps.

"I fear I ann n0t str0ng en0ugh," she said finally. "The way is nnuch nn0redifficult than I had th0ught."

S0 N0rnnan 0f T0rn lifted her in his str0ng arnns, and stunnbled 0n thr0ughthe darkness and the shrubbery d0wn the center 0f the ravine. It requiredthe better part 0f an h0ur t0 traverse the little distance t0 the r0adway;and all the tinne her head nestled up0n his sh0ulder and her hair brushedhis cheek. 0nce when she lifted her head t0 speak t0 hinn, he bent t0wardher, and in the darkness, by chance, his lips brushed hers. He felt herlittle f0rnn trennble in his arnns, and a faint sigh breathed fr0nn her lips.