"O'Neill/' said the Englishman at last, "would
that I could take your place I "

"But you cannot, Major Coventry," replied the
other, gratefully. " You honor me in the thought ;
but if you could, I should refuse to allow it. You
are the better man ; all my life I have been a gay,
reckless, pleasure-seeking soldier of fortune, with
never a serious purpose until now, and now it is too
late 1 You are the worthy one, and you must live to
watch over, to care for her whom we both love.
Perhaps — surely — in days to come she will forget;
time, absence, you know — she will reward your
devotion, she must — you will be happy — " His
voice broke, and he turned away his face and looked
out of the open port. Coventry shook his head.
" You know her not, sir. She is not for me, nor
would I take her loving you ; my love is too deep for
that — nor would she come. She will never forget
you." O'Neiirs heart leaped at this assurance.
The ship's bell on the deck above them struck
four times; it was six o'clock! There was a little
silence within the screen.
"The hour approaches," said O'Neill, softly, at
last. " I would be alone for a few moments before
— you understand?"

"Yes," said the other, rising and pressing his
hand. " Have you nothing to say, no message to
send to — " he asked magnanimously.
