in the world to a man, compared with the woman on whom his
heart is set? Do I not know it? Have I not suffered for it?

"But mark me, Jocelyn" - and he straightened himself suddenly -
"even in this, that which I have done I will undo. As I have
robbed you of your mistress, so will I win her back for you. I
swear it. And when that is done, when thus every harm I have
caused you is repaired, then, Jocelyn, perhaps you will come to
look with less repugnance upon your father, and to feel less
resentment towards him."

"You promise much, sir," quoth the boy, with an illrepressed
sneer. "How will you accomplish it?"

Hogan grunted audibly. Crispin drew himself up, erect, lithe
and supple - a figure to inspire confidence in the most
despairing. He placed a hand, nervous, and strong as steel,
upon the boy's shoulder, and the clutch of his fingers made
Jocelyn wince.

"Low though your father be fallen," said he sternly, "he has
never yet broken his word. I have pledged you mine, and
to-morrow I shall set out to perform what I have promised. I
shall see you ere I start. You will sleep here, will you not?"

Jocelyn shrugged his shoulders.

"It signifies little where I lie."

Crispin smiled sadly, and sighed.