le; all its slight
but healthy glow had fled. A very faint gasp came from her lips. I saw
that she recognised him, as he bowed and mentioned her name, following
my introduction. I knew not what might occur, for I saw danger in her
eyes in reply to the beseeching look in his. Would melodrama supervene
after all? She merely bowed towards me, as if to dismiss me, and then
she rose, took his arm, and moved away. The interview that follows came
to me from Boyd Madras afterwards.

When they had reached the semi-darkness of the forward part of the ship,
she drew her hand quickly away, and, turning to him, said: "What is the
name by which you are called? One does not always hear distinctly when
being introduced."

He did not understand what she was about to do, but he felt the deadly
coldness in her voice. "My name is known to you," he replied. He
steadied himself.

"No, pardon me, I do not know it, for I do not know you.... I never saw
you before." She leaned her hand carelessly on the bulwarks.

He was shocked, but he drew himself together. Their eyes were intent
on each other. "You do know me! Need I tell you that I am Boyd Madras?"
"Boyd Madras," she said, musing coldly. "A peculiar name."

"Mercy Madras was your name until you called yourself Mrs. Falchion," he
urged indignantly, yet anxiously too.

"It suits you to be mysterious, Mr.--ah yes, Mr. Boyd Madras;
but, really, you might be less exacting in your demands upon one's
imagination." Her look was again on him casually.

He spoke breathlessly. "Mercy--Mercy--for God's sake, don't treat me
like this! Oh, my wife, I have wronged you every way, but I loved you
always--love you now. I have only followed you to ask you to forgive
me, after all these years. I saw you in Colombo just before you came
on board, and I felt that I must come also. You never loved me. Perhaps
that is better for you, but you do not know what I suffer. If you could
give me a chance, and come with me to America--anywhere, and let me
start the world again? I can--travel straight now, and I will work hard,
and be honest. I will--" But here sudden pain brought back the doubt
concerning his life and its possibilities.

He leaned against the bulwarks, and made a helpless, despairing motion
with his hand. "No, no!" he said; and added with a bitter laugh: "Not
to begin the world again, but to end it as profitably and silently as I
can. ... But you will listen to me, my wife? You will say at least t