But for your own sake only. I would
not have you do anything mean or dishonouring."
"Thief and pirate though I be?"
She clenched her hand, and made a little gesture of despair and
impatience.
"Will you never forgive me those words?"
"I'm finding it a trifle hard, I confess. But what does it matter,
when all is said?"
Her clear hazel eyes considered him a moment wistfully. Then she
put out her hand again.
"I am going, Captain Blood. Since you are so generous to my uncle,
I shall be returning to Barbados with him. We are not like to meet
again - ever. Is it impossible that we should part friends? Once
I wronged you, I know. And I have said that I am sorry. Won't
you... won't you say 'good-bye'?"
He seemed to rouse himself, to shake off a mantle of deliberate
harshness. He took the hand she proffered. Retaining it, he spoke,
his eyes sombrely, wistfully considering her.
"You are returning to Barbados?" he said slowly. "Will Lord Julian
be going with you?"
"Why do you ask me that?" she confronted him quite fearlessly.
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