er, he turned tail and slunk out of the place, as if ashamed of
himself that he was so useless. When all was over he stalked off to
Port-y-Vullin, but, too nervous to settle to his work that day, he
went away in the evening in the direction of Lague, not thinking to
call there, yet powerless to keep away.

Greeba had returned from Ramsey alone, being little wishful for
company, so heavy was her heart. She had seen how her brothers had
tried to rob her, and how beggarly was the help the law could give
her, for though the one might order the others might not obey. So she
had sat herself down in her loneliness, thinking that she was indeed
alone in all the world, with no one to look up to any more, and no
strong hand to rest on. It was just then that Jason pushed open the
door of the porch, and stood on the threshold, in all the quiet
strength of his untainted young manhood, and the calm breadth of his
simple manner.

"Greeba, may I come in?" he said, in a low tone.

"Yes," she answered, only just audibly, and then he entered.

She did not raise her eyes, and he did not offer his hand, but as he
stood beside her she grew stronger, and as she sat before him he felt
that a hard lump that had gathered at his heart was melting away.

"Listen to me, Greeba," he said. "I know all your troubles, and I'm
very sorry for them. No, that's not what I meant to say, but I'm at a
loss for words. Greeba!"

"Yes?"

"Doesn't it seem as if Fate meant us to come together--you and I? The
world has dealt very ill with both of us thus far. But you are a
woman and I am a man; and only give me the right to fight for
you----"

As he spoke he saw the tears spring to her eyes, and he paused and
his wandering fingers found the hand that hung by her side.

"Greeba!" he cried again, but she stopped the hot flow of the words
that she saw were coming.

"Leave me now," she said. "Don't speak to me to-day; no, not to-day,
Jason. Go--go!"

He obeyed her without a word, and picking up his cap from where it
had fallen at his feet, he left her sitting there with her face
covered by her hands.

She had suddenly bethought herself of Michael Sunlocks; that she had
pledged her word to wait for him, that she had written to him and
that his answer might come at any time. Next day she went down to the
post-office at Ramsey to inquire for a letter. None had yet come for
her, but a boat from the Shetlands that might fetch mails from
Iceland would arrive