he ring of passionate resolution.

Instantly it brought Rowland to terms. He took a bunch of keys from
his pocket and tossed it upon the grass. "The little brass one opens my
dressing-case," he said. "You will find money in it."

Roderick let the keys lie; something seemed to have struck him; he
looked askance at his friend. "You are awfully gallant!"

"You certainly are not. Your proposal is an outrage."

"Very likely. It 's a proof the more of my desire."

"If you have so much steam on, then, use it for something else. You say
you are awake again. I am delighted; only be so in the best sense. Is
n't it very plain? If you have the energy to desire, you have also the
energy to reason and to judge. If you can care to go, you can also care
to stay, and staying being the more profitable course, the inspiration,
on that side, for a man who has his self-confidence to win back again,
should be greater."

Roderick, plainly, did not relish this simple logic, and his eye grew
angry as he listened to its echo. "Oh, the devil!" he cried.

Rowland went on. "Do you believe that hanging about Christina Light will
do you any good? Do you believe it won't? In either case you should keep
away from her. If it won't, it 's your duty; and if it will, you can get
on without it."

"Do me good?" cried Roderick. "What do I want of 'good'--what should I
do with 'good'? I want what she gives me, call it by what name you will.
I want to ask no questions, but to take what comes and let it fill the
impossible hours! But I did n't come to discuss the matter."

"I have not the least desire to discuss it," said Rowland. "I simply
protest."

Roderick meditated a moment. "I have never yet thought twice of
accepting a favor of you," he said at last; "but this one sticks in my
throat."

"It is not a favor; I lend you the money only under compulsion."

"Well, then, I will take it only under compulsion!" Roderick exclaimed.
And he sprang up abruptly and marched away.

His words were ambiguous; Rowland lay on the grass, wondering what they
meant. Half an hour had not elapsed before Roderick reappeared, heated
with rapid walking, and wiping his forehead. He flung himself down and
looked at his friend with an eye which expressed something purer than
bravado and yet baser than conviction.

"I have done my best!" he said. "My mother is out of money; she is
expecting next week some circular notes from London. She had only ten
francs in her pocket