“And you go at once?”
“Directly. Now take me in, and let me say good-bye to her.”
“No,” said Neil firmly.
“What? After my promise?”
“After your promise. I have a duty to my helpless father, Tom, my lad, and I should be playing a very dishonourable part if I took advantage of his position, knowing what I do of his wishes, to arrange a meeting between you and my sister. That was a love-sick boy speaking, not the Queen’s officer—the man whose honour is beyond reproach.”
“I suppose you are right,” said Beck, after a pause. “You know I am.”
“Let me see her for a moment, though.”
“No.”
“I know you are right—just to say ‘good-bye’ before you—just to touch her hand.”
“No, my lad. Say good-bye to me, and I’ll tell her you love her truly, and that you have gone off to your duty like a man—an officer and a gentleman. That you have exacted no promise from her, and that you have taken the advice of her brother—a man who loves you both and will help you to the end. There, I must go back to my father’s room. Good-bye.”