And now perhaps ye'll understand."
Lord Julian stared at him bewildered. His long, aristocratic
face was very pale.
"My God!" he said. "And you tell me this?"
"I tell you because... Oh, plague on it! - so that ye may tell her;
so that she may be made to realize that there's something of the
unfortunate gentleman left under the thief and pirate she accounts
me, and that her own good is my supreme desire. Knowing that, she
may... faith, she may remember me more kindly - if It's only in
her prayers. That's all, my lord."
Lord Julian continued to look at the buccaneer in silence. In
silence, at last, he held out his hand; and in silence Blood
took it.
"I wonder whether you are right," said his lordship, "and whether
you are not the better man."
"Where she is concerned see that you make sure that I am right.
Good-bye to you."
Lord Julian wrung his hand in silence, went down the ladder, and
was pulled ashore. From the distance he waved to Blood, who stood
leaning on the bulwarks watching the receding cock-boat.
Pages:
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476