"No, I will do it," he added, with sudden will, "and I will do
it now, if I may."
"Oh, not to-day-not to-day!" she said with a piteous look. "Let it
not be to-day. It is our first day here, and we are due at King's House
to-night, even in an hour from now."
"You want her at her glorious best, is that it?" It seemed too strange
that the pure feminine should show at a time of crisis like this, but
there it was. It was this woman's way. But he added presently: "When
she asks you what we have talked about, what will you say?"
"Is it not easy? I am a mother," she said meaningly.
"And I am an ex-convict, and a mutineer--is that it?"
She inclined her head. "It should not be difficult to explain. When you
came I was speaking as I felt, and she will not think it strange if I
give that as my reason."
"But is it wise? Isn't it better to end it all now? Suppose Lord Mallow
tells her."
"He did not before. He is not likely now," was the vexed reply. "Is it
a thing a gentleman will speak of to a lady?"
"But you do not know Mallow. If he thought she had seen me to-day, he
would not hesitate.
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