The negro nodded. "I would rather lose my life than see him dead."
Cyril looked at him curiously. "Strange! I did not think that my father was a man to inspire such devotion."
"He saved my life," said Durgo impressively.
"Humph!" murmured Cyril under his breath. "I'll be bound if he did so, that he took back the full value of his heroic act."
Bella looked pained. "Cyril, why do you speak in that tone of your father?"
"Because I know him better than Durgo," he retorted. "My father is a—but that is neither here nor there"—he waved his hand impatiently. "Durgo, I am about to speak plainly. I see that you love my father, so I don't wish to hurt your feelings. All the same, I must tell you something about my father which you will not like."
"Let me hear," said Durgo frowning, "and I can judge. But you are his son——"
"And therefore should speak well of him," ended Cyril bitterly. "I wish I could, but I have suffered too much at my father's hands to have any love for him. However, I shall be as brief as possible."
"And as kind," said Durgo meaningly.
"And as kind as I can be," retorted the young man cynically; "although my father will be the first to laugh at the idea of my talking kindly of him."