"You will not go to Pardon's Drive again, will you, Aleck?"
"Never again after Christmas Day, Mab. But I must go to-morrow. I have given my word."
"I know. To meet Pretty Pierre and all the rest, and for what? Oh, Aleck, isn't the suspicion about your father enough, but you must put this on me as well?"
"My father must suffer for his wrong-doing if he does wrong, and I for mine."
There was a moment's silence. He bowed his head again.
"And I have done wrong to us both. Forgive me, Mab."
She leaned over and caressed his hair. "I forgive you, Aleck."
A thousand new thoughts were thrilling through him. Yet this man had given his word to do that for which he must ask forgiveness of the woman he loved. But to Pretty Pierre, forgiven or unforgiven, he would keep his word. She understood it better than most of those who read this brief record can. Every sphere has its code of honour and duty peculiar to itself.
"You will come to me on Christmas morning, Aleck?"
"I will come on Christmas morning."