Part 31 (1/2)

”Why, then it will be difficult, well-nigh irave

But Crispin laughed unpleasantly Years and misfortune had made him cynical

”What is the love of athat uided, overcome or compelled as the occasion shall deiven that, any maid may love any man Cynthia shall love my son”

”But if she prove rebellious? If she say nay to your proposals? There are such woer? In such a case it shall be mine to compel her, and as I find her, so shall I carry her away It will be none so poor a vengeance on the Ashburns after all” His bro clouded ”But not what I had dreamed of; what I should have taken had he not cheated --is another sacrifice I make to Jocelyn To serve him in this matter I must proceed cautiously Cynthia may fret and fume and stamp, but willy-nilly I shall carry her away Once she is in France, friendless, alone, IJocelyn--leastways of wedding him and thus shall I have more than repaired the injuries I have done hirave; his reckless rey-haired, sinning soldier of fortune, who had never known a conscience,you contemplate, Cris”

Despite hian's

For a ht, and he wavered in his purpose Then, with a short bark of laughter:

”Gadso, you are sentiravely: ”There is my son, and in this lies the only way to his heart”

Hogan stretched a hand across the table, and set it upon Crispin's arm

”Is he worth such a stain upon your honour, Crispin?”

There was a pause

”Is it not late in the day, Hogan, for you and me to prate of honour?”

asked Crispin bitterly, yet with averted gaze ”God knows s are like unto a cloak of ernifies another splash, another rent in that which is tattered beyond all seinal condition?”

”I asked you,” the Irishman persisted, ”whether your son orth the sacrifice that the vile deed you contemplate entails?”

Crispin shook his arrip, and rose abruptly He crossed to the , and drew back the curtain

”Day is breaking,” said he gruffly Then turning, and facing Hogan across the rooed my word to Jocelyn,” he said ”The way I have chosen is the only one, and I shall follow it But if your conscience cries out against it, Hogan, I give you back your promise of assistance, and I shall shi+ft alone I have done so all ed hiswaters

”If you are resolved, there is an end to it My conscience shall not trouble ive, you ”

Thereafter they discussed the matter of the vessel that Crispin would require, and it was arranged between the him come to Harwich, and there await and place himself at the coht that he would undertake to land Sir Crispin in France The ht be dispatched forthwith, and the Lady Jane should be at Harwich, two days later

By the time they had determined upon this, the inmates of the hostelry were astir, and from the innyard came to them the noise of bustle and preparation for the day

Presently they left the cha, and at the yard pu toilet Thereafter, on a sis and brown ale, they broke their fast; and ere that meal was done, Kenneth, pale and worn, with dark circles round his eyes, entered the coan went to see to the dispatching of his er, Crispin rose and approached the youth

Kenneth watched hi in hisover the future, which looked gloo what had passed--he should return to the genteel poverty of his Scottish home, or accept the proffered service of this man who announced himself--and whoht, but he was far fro chosen between Scotland and France, when Crispin now greeted hi slowly, almost huh to fulfil ht's promise to you How I shall accomplish it I scarce know as yet; but acco me, and within three days--or four at theyour bride with me”

He paused for some reply, but none calued to the table, but hisinto his ear Presently Crispin continued: