The next moment the giant head and shoulders of Amyas, far above the crowd, swept round the corner.
“Make a way! Make room for Madam Leigh!”—And Amyas fell on his knees at her feet.
She threw her arms round his neck, and bent her fair head over his, while sailors, 'prentices, and coarse harbor-women were hushed into holy silence, and made a ring round the mother and the son.
Mrs. Leigh asked no question. She saw that Amyas was alone.
At last he whispered, “I would have died to save him, mother, if I could.”
“You need not tell me that, Amyas Leigh, my son.”
Another silence.
“How did he die?” whispered Mrs. Leigh.
“He is a martyr. He died in the——”
Amyas could say no more.