and woman from going out with
the tide.

"It is the first time in my life that I have fairly counted among men.
It's the first time I have known human affection, other than yours,
Penzance. They want me, these people; they are better for the sight of
me. It is a new experience, and it is good for a man's soul," he said.

CHAPTER XLIII

HIS CHANCE

Betty walked much alone upon the marshes with Roland at her side. At
intervals she heard from Mr. Penzance, but his notes were necessarily
brief, and at other times she could only rely upon report for news
of what was occurring at Mount Dunstan. Lord Mount Dunstan's almost
military supervision of and command over his villagers had certainly
saved them from the horrors of an uncontrollable epidemic; his decision
and energy had filled the alarmed Guardians with respect and this
respect had begun to be shared by many other persons. A man as prompt in
action, and as faithful to such responsibilities as many men might
have found plausible reasons enough for shirking, inevitably assumed a
certain dignity of aspect, when all was said and done. Lord Dunholm was
most clear in his expressions of opinion concerning him. Lady Alanby
of Dole made a practice of speaking of him in public frequently, always
with admiring approval, and in that final manner of hers, to whose
authority her neighbours had so long submitted. It began to be accepted
as a fact that he was a new development of his race--as her ladyship had
put it, "A new order of Mount Dunstan."

The story of his power over the stricken people, and of their passionate
affection and admiration for him, was one likely to spread far, and be
immensely popular. The drama of certain incidents appealed greatly
to the rustic mind, and by cottage firesides he was represented with
rapturous awe, as raising men, women, and children from the dead, by the
mere miracle of touch. Mrs. Welden and old Doby revelled in thrilling,
almost Biblical, versions of current anecdotes, when Betty paid her
visits to them.

"It's like the Scripture, wot he done for that young man as the last
breath had gone out of him, an' him lyin' stiffening fast. 'Young man,
arise,' he says. 'The Lord Almighty calls. You've got a young wife an'
three children to take care of. Take up your bed an' walk.' Not as he
wanted him to carry his bed anywheres, but it was a manner of speaking.
An' up the young man got. An' a sensible way," said old Mrs. Welden
frankly, "fo