appeared to have little care
which brother it was! You got both. I was long a prisoner. When I got
free, I learned all; I bided my time. I was waiting till you had a
child. Twelve years have gone: you have no child. But I shall spare you
awhile longer. If your wife should die, or you should yet have a child,
I shall return."

The Governor lifted his head wearily from the table where he now sat.
"Tom," he said in a low, heavy voice, "I was always something of a
scoundrel, but I've repented of that thing every day of my life since.
It has been knives--knives all the way. I am glad--I can't tell you how
glad--that you are alive."

He stretched out his hand with a motion of great relief. "I was afraid
you were going to speak to-night--to tell all, even though I was your
brother. You spared me for the sake--"

"For the sake of the family name," the other interjected stonily.

"For the sake of our name. But I would have taken my punishment, in
thankfulness, because you are alive."

"Taken it like a man, your Excellency," was the low rejoinder. He
laughed bitterly.

"You will not wipe the thing out, Tom? You will not wipe it out, and
come back, and take your own--now?" said the other anxiously.

The other dried the perspiration from his forehead. "I will come back in
my own time; and it can never be wiped out. For you shook all my faith
in my old world. That's the worst thing that can happen a man. I only
believe in the very common people now--those who are not put upon their
honour. One doesn't expect it of them, and, unlikely as it is, one isn't
often deceived. I think we'd better talk no more about it."

"You mean I had better go."

"I think so. I am going to marry soon." The other started nervously.

"You needn't be so shocked. I will come back one day, but not till your
wife dies, or you have a child, as I said."

The Governor rose to his feet, and went to the door. "Whom do you intend
marrying?" he asked in a voice far from vice-regal, only humbled and
disturbed. The reply was instant and keen: "A bar-maid."

The other's hand dropped from the door. But Old Roses, passing over,
opened it, and, waiting for the other to pass through, said: "I do not
doubt but there will be issue. Good-day, my lord!"

The Governor passed out from the pale light of the lamp into the grey
and moist morning. He turned at a point where the house would be lost
to view, and saw the other still standing there. The voice of Old Roses