pled back became too great for him to bear.

And clearly, indeed, those days were brought home to Lord Nick as he
glanced up, for Donnegan was staring at him in the same old, familiar
agony, mute and helpless.

33

At this Lord Nick very frankly frowned in turn. And when he frowned his
face grew marvelously dark, like some wrathful god, for there was a
noble, a Grecian purity to the profile of Henry Nicholas Reardon, and
when he frowned he seemed to be scorning, from a distance, ignoble,
earthly things which troubled him.

"I know it isn't exactly easy for you, Garry," he admitted. "You have
your own pride; you have your own position here in The Corner. But I
want you to notice that mine is different. You've spent a day for what
you have in The Corner, here. I've spent ten years. You've played a
prank, acted a part, and cast a jest for what you have. But for the
place which I hold, brother mine, I've schemed with my wits, played fast
and loose, and killed men. Do you hear? I've bought it with blood, and
things you buy at such a price ought to stick, eh?"

He banished his frown; the smile played suddenly across his features.

"Why, I'm arguing with myself. But that look you gave me a minute ago
had me worried for a little while."

At this Donnegan, who had allowed his head to fall, so that he seemed
to be nodding in acquiescence, now raised his face and Lord Nick
perceived the same white pain upon it. The same look which had been on
the face of the cripple so often in the other days.

"Henry," said the younger brother, "I give you my oath that my pride has
nothing to do with this. I'd let you drive me barefoot before you
through the street yonder. I'd let every soul in The Corner know that I
have no pride where you're concerned. I'll do whatever you wish--with
one exception--and that one is the unlucky thing you ask. Pardner, you
mustn't ask for Jack Landis! Anything else I'll work like a slave to get
for you: I'll fight your battles, I'll serve you in any way you name:
but don't take Landis back!"

He had talked eagerly, the words coming with a rush, and he found at the
end that Lord Nick was looking at him in bewilderment.

"When a man is condemned to death," said Lord Nick slowly, "suppose
somebody offers him anything in the world that he wants--palaces,
riches, power--everything except his life. What would the condemned man
say to a friend who made such an offer? He'd laugh at him and then call
hi