"I ought to thank you for your gallantry in rescuing me from the custody of those rude men; especially as the freedom you have given me affords me the opportunity of voluntarily doing that which I should not like to be forced into doing."
Captain Inconnu bowed in silence, and in some perplexity, and then he said,
"I am not sure that I understand you, madam, as to what you would do."
"I would go freely before a court of justice, instead of being forced thither," explained Sybil.
"I trust you would never commit such a suicidal act!" exclaimed the captain, in consternation.
"Yes, I would, and I will. I care nothing for my life! I have lost all that makes life worth the living! All is gone but my true honor—for its mere semblance has gone with everything else. I would preserve that true honor! I would place myself on trial, and trust in my innocence, and in the help of Providence," said Sybil, speaking with a stoical firmness wonderful to see in one so young.
Captain Inconnu, who had listened in silence, with his eyes fixed upon the ground, now lifted them to her face and replied:
"Sleep on this resolution before you act, Mrs. Berners; and to-morrow we will talk further on this subject."
"I must of necessity sleep on it before acting," said Sybil, with a dreary smile, "since nothing can be done to-night; but also I must tell you that nothing can change my resolution."
"Thus let it stand over until to-morrow," replied the captain. Then with a total change of tone and manner, he turned to Gentiliska and said: