choked him. Una stared at
him in terrified surprise; but even then, even with his own words in her
ears, she did not doubt his love for her. She waited.

"Una," he said at last, "I cannot take you with me."

She gazed at him with wide, pitiful eyes, like the eyes of a little
child struck suddenly and inexplicably by the hand of some trusted
friend. Neal trembled and turned away from her. He could not look at her
while he spoke.

"Una, dearest, it is not that I do not love you. I love you. Oh, heart
of my heart, I love you. I would give----"

He sobbed again. Then, with an effort, he mastered himself, and spoke
slowly in low, tender tones.

"Una, your father has trusted me. He has helped me, saved me. He has
been my friend. I am bound in honour to him. I cannot take you from him
like this."

"Ah!" she said. "Honour! Is your honour more than love?"

"Una, Una, can't you understand? It's because I love you so well that I
cannot do this. Wait, dearest, wait a little while. I shall come back
to you. The world is not so wide that it can keep me from you. The time
will not be long."

He turned to her, and saw again the intolerable stricken sadness of her
eyes.

"My darling," he said, "I cannot bear it. I will take you with me. Come.
What does it matter about honour or disgrace? What have we to do with
right or wrong? Will you come, Una?"

"Her eyes dropped before his gaze. Her hands clasped and unclasped, the
fingers of them sliding close-pressed against each other. She trembled.

"If it is wrong----," she whispered. "Oh, Neal, I do not understand, but
what you think wrong is wrong for me, too. I will not do what you say is
wrong. But, oh! come back to me, come back to me soon. I cannot bear to
wait long for you."

All the joy was gone from her. Forgetful of the strangers who stood
round her, she covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly.

Maurice's voice reached them from the boat.

"Be quick, Neal. I must cast off and let you get under way. They've got
the old salmon cobble out, and they're coming after us. Captain Twinely
must have managed to tear himself away from the Comtesse. They are
pulling six oars, and the cobble is full of men. Be quick."

Una stopped crying on the instant. She cast a terrified glance at the
approaching boat. Then she ran across the deck to Captain Getty. She
seized his hand, and fell on her knees before him.

"Keep him safe, Captain Getty. Keep him safe. The soldiers, th