Part 60 (2/2)

”Lionel, boy!” was all that for a moment he could say Then: ”Poor lad!

Poor lad!” he added ”Te forth he took the other white hand that lay beyond the couch, and so held both tight-clasped within his own

Fro upwards towards the dying man's face But the radiance that now overspread it was from an inward source Feebly he returned the clasp of his brother's hands

”Oliver, Oliver!” he whispered ”There is none like thee! I ever knew thee as noble as I was base Have I said enough to make you safe? Say that he will be safe now,” he appealed to the others, ”that no”

”He will be safe,” said Lord Henry stoutly ”My word on't”

”It is well The past is past The future is in your hands, Oliver

God's blessing on't” He seeain He s swiest I ever swa swiiven outI could have depended on you I ah!” He shuddered, and lay still

Gently Sir John lowered him to his couch Beyond it Rosamund fell upon her knees and covered her face, whilst by Sir John's side Oliver continued to kneel, clasping in his own his brother's chilling hands

There ensued a long spell of silence Then with a heavy sigh Sir Oliver folded Lionel's hands across his breast, and slowly, heavily rose to his feet

The others seenal It was as if they had but waited mute and still out of deference to Oliver Lord Henry htly upon the shoulder She rose and went out in the wake of the others, Lord Henry following her, and none reeon

Outside in the sunshi+ne they checked Sir John stood with bent head and hunched shoulders, his eyes upon the white deck Ti never seen before in this bold man--he looked at Sir Oliver

”He was my friend,” he said sorrowfully, and as if to excuse and explain hih love of him”

”He was my brother,” replied Sir Oliver solemnly ”God rest him!”

Sir John, resolved, drew hinity a rebuff should it be adenerosity, sir, to forgive e

Silently Sir Oliver held out his hand Sir John fell upon it alain,” he said, ”and I give you hbourly one than in the past”

”Then, sirs,” said Sir Oliver, looking from Sir John to Lord Henry, ”I aer a prisoner”

”You need not hesitate to return with us to England, Sir Oliver,”

replied his lordshi+p ”The Queen shall hear your story, and we have Jasper Leigh to confiro warranty for your co” And he, too, held out his hand Then turning to the others: ”Come, sirs,” he said, ”we have duties elsewhere, I think”

They tra Oliver and Rosa each at the other There was so much to say, so much to ask, so in Then Rosa out her hands ”Oh, my dear!”

she said, and that, after all, suming on the forecastle and peeping through the shrouds, were disgusted to see the lady of Godolphin Court in the ared follower of Mahound