"For the sake of our name. But I would have taken my punishment, in
thankfulness, because you are alive."

"Taken it like a man, your Excellency," was the low rejoinder. He
laughed bitterly.

"You will not wipe the thing out, Tom? You will not wipe it out, and
come back, and take your own--now?" said the other anxiously.

The other dried the perspiration from his forehead. "I will come back in
my own time; and it can never be wiped out. For you shook all my faith
in my old world. That's the worst thing that can happen a man. I only
believe in the very common people now--those who are not put upon their
honour. One doesn't expect it of them, and, unlikely as it is, one isn't
often deceived. I think we'd better talk no more about it."

"You mean I had better go."

"I think so. I am going to marry soon." The other started nervously.

"You needn't be so shocked. I will come back one day, but not till your
wife dies, or you have a child, as I said."

The Governor rose to his feet, and went to the door. "Whom do you intend
marrying?" he asked in a voice far from vice-regal, only humbled and
disturbed. The reply was instant and keen: "A bar-maid."

The other's hand dropped from the door. But Old Roses, passing over,
opened it, and, waiting for the other to pass through, said: "I do not