brother because you loved me.'

Alec looked at her. There was an extraordinary sadness in his eyes, but
she did not see it. He answered very gravely.

'You see, the fault was his. He had committed a grave error. It was not
unjust that he should suffer for the catastrophe that he had brought
about.'

'At those times one doesn't think of justice. He was so young, so frank
and honest. Wouldn't it have been nobler to give your life for his?'

'Oh, my dear,' he answered, with all the gentleness that was in him,
'you don't know how easy it is to give one's life, how much more
difficult it is to be just than generous. How little you know me! Do you
think I should have hesitated if the difficulty had been one that my
death could solve? It was necessary that I should live. I had my work to
do. I was bound by solemn treaties to the surrounding tribes. Even if
that had been all, it would have been cowardly for me to die.'

'It is easy to find excuses for not acting like a brave man.' She flung
the words at him with indignant scorn.

'I was indispensable,' he answered. 'The whites I took with me I chose
as instruments, not as leaders. If I had died the expedition would have
broken in pieces. It was my influence that held together such of the
native tribes as remained faithful to us. I had given my word that I
would not desert them till I had exterminated the slave-raiders. Two
days after my death my force would have melted away, and the whites
would have been helpless. Not one of them would have escaped. And then
the country would have been given up, defenceless, to those cursed
Arabs. Fire and sword would have come instead of the peace I promised;
and the whole country would have been rendered desolate. I tell you that
it was my duty to live till I had carried out my work.'

Lucy drew herself up a little. She looked at him firmly, and said very
quietly and steadily:

'You coward! You coward!'

'I knew at the time that what I did might cost me your love, and though
you won't believe this, I did it for your sake.'

'I wish I had a whip in my hand that I might slash you across the face.'

For a moment he did not say anything. She was quivering with indignation
and with contempt.

'You see, it has cost me your love,' he said. 'I suppose it was
inevitable.'

'I am ashamed that I ever loved you.'

'Good-bye.'

He turned round and walked slowly to the door. He held his head erect,
and there was no sign of emotion on hi