"I have discovered that, sir, as well as you. I am under obligations to that man which my heart's blood will not repay. I shall make no secret of telling you what they are at a fit time."
Mark held out his broad red hand, and grasped Stangrave's till the joints cracked: his face grew as red as a turkey-cock's; his eyes filled with tears.
"His father must hear that! Hang it; his father must hear that! And
Grace too!"
"Grace!" said Claude: "and is she with you?"
"With the old man, the angel! tending him night and day."
"And as beautiful as ever?"
"Sir!" said Mark solemnly, "when any one's soul is as beautiful as hers is, one never thinks about her face."
"Who is Grace?" asked Stangrave.
"A saint and a heroine!" said Claude. "You shall know all; for you ought to know. But you have no news of Tom; and I have none either. I am losing all hope now."
"I'm not, sir!" said Mark fiercely. "Sir, that boy's not dead; he can't be. He has more lives than a cat, and if you know anything of him, you ought to know that."