"I cannot. You have conquered," she gasped.
"Conquered?" I swore a bitter oath. "O Princess, think you _this_
is the way I promised to conquer you? Take up your gun again and
follow me. . . . Eh? You do not ask where I lead?"
"It is enough that I follow you, my husband," she said humbly.
"It is something, indeed; but before God it is not enough, nor half
enough. I see now that 'enough' may never come: almost I doubt if I,
who swore to you it should come, and since have desired it madly,
desire it any longer; and until it comes you are still the winner.
'Enough' shall be said, Princess--for my price rises--not when (as I
promised) you come to me without choosing to be loved or hated, only
beseeching your master, but when you shall come to me having made
your choice. . . . But so far, so good," said I, cheerfully, changing
my tone. "You do not ask where I lead. I am leading you, if I can
to Cape Corso, to my father; and by his help, if it shall serve, to
your mother."
"I thank you, cavalier," she said, still in her restrained voice.
"You are a good man; and for that reason I am sorry you will not
hearken to me.
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