said he, feebly; "you are very kind--far kinder than I
deserve. No man can measure the remorse that burns within me, and yet
the world would say that you have let me off too easily."

La Salle rang the bell sharply, and a waiter hastened up from the lower
landing.

"Did you ring, sir?"

"Yes. Call a cab at once. Regnar, get my coat and yours. Mr. Randall, we
must see you safely home. Where do you board?"

"At the Albion; but you need not take that trouble. Ah, sir, I know your
fears; but my head is clear, and you need not be afraid that I shall do
anything rash. I shall not despair of the pardon of God, since I have
found some merciful pity in man."

The carriage was announced; the tall form was again erect, and the
voice, though husky with emotion, came strangely sweet and clear, as he
turned to go.

"I would that we might be friends, but I know it cannot be. My blessing
men would shrink from, if they knew what you do; but may God bless you
for your kindness to me." And standing motionless in the dusky passage,
they heard the footsteps die away in the empty corridors, and the rattle
of the wheels of the vehicle which bore him away forever.

The next day they took the steamer for Halifax, and arriving there, the
party separated, Peter and Waring going to St. Jean, and La Salle to the
home of his father in Baltimore, where Regnar also was bound, in search
of his half-sister. The parting was not pleasant, for the mutual trials
and dangers of the few days spent amid the ice had done more to cement a
strong and lasting friendship between the four, than years of ordinary
companionship would have done.

"Look out, Peter, when you get on board the Princess, for Lund has
secured such a story to tell, that he may pitch you two overboard to
keep you from spoiling it by your return."

"All light," answered Peter; "Capten Lund good man; see spirit, too,
sure enough. He see two men; he look 'gain, no men dere. He see you an'
me on _h_ice. Snow fall t'ick, an' he see us no more. What hurt we come
back? Much better we come back for all han's; you come back soon, I
s'pose, too."

"Yes, Peter," answered La Salle, kindly, "we shall come back soon, and I
hope next fall to be spending the moonlight nights with you on
Shepherd's Creek, and the duck-haunted reed-ponds of Battery Marsh. Good
by;" and going on board, the two friends went rather disconsolately to
their state-room.

Regnar still seemed ill at ease, as if he wanted