say."

The situation was intense. She was in a place from which there was no
escape except by flight or refusal. She did not really wish to refuse.
Somehow, there had come upon her the desire to put all thought of Dyck
Calhoun out of her mind by making it impossible for her to think of him;
and marriage was the one sure and complete way--marriage with this man,
was it possible? He held high position, he was her fellow countryman and
an Irish peer, and she was the daughter of an evil man, who was, above
all else, a traitor to his country, though Lord Mallow did not know
that. The only one she knew possessed of the facts was the man she
desired to save herself from in final way--Dyck Calhoun. Her heart
was for the moment soft to Lord Mallow, in spite of his hatred of Dyck
Calhoun. The governor was a man of charm in conversation. He was born
with rare faculties. Besides, he had knowledge of humanity and of women.
He knew how women could be touched. He had appealed to Sheila more by
ability than by aught else. His concessions to her were discretion in
a way. They opened the route to her affections, as his place and title
could not do.

"No, no, no, believe me, Sheila, I was a man who had too many
temptations--that was all. But I did not spoil my life by them, and I
am here a trusted servant of the government. I am a better governor than
your first words to me would make you seem to think."

Her eyes were shining, her face was troubled, her tongue was silent. She
knew not what to say. She felt she could not say yes--yet she wanted to
escape from him. Her good fortune did not desert her. Suddenly the door
of the room opened and her mother entered.

"There is a member of your suite here, your honour, asking for you. It
is of most grave importance. It is urgent. What shall I say?"

"Say nothing. I am coming," said the governor. "I am coming now."

CHAPTER XX. OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE PHILISTINES

That night the Maroons broke loose upon Jamaica, and began murder and
depredation against which the governor's activities were no check.
Estates were invaded, and men, women and children killed, or carried
into the mountains and held as hostages. In the middle and western
part of the island the ruinous movements went on without being stayed;
planters and people generally railed at the governor, and said that
through his neglect these dark things were happening. It was said he
had failed to punish offences by the Maroons, an