"Let us embrace."
"Willingly."
And Sir Asinus caught his friend in his arms and sniffled.
Jacques, with his head over his friend's shoulder, chuckled.
"Now farewell," said Sir Asinus; "perhaps some day I may return—farewell."
And covering his eyes, he turned away.
Jacques took out his pocket-handkerchief—pressed his friend's hand for the last time, and departed.
He mounted his horse, gathered up the reins, and set forward again toward Shadynook, leaving the disconsolate Sir Asinus to finish his preparations for departure in his beautiful sail-boat the Rebecca.
Poor Sir Asinus! He had not the courage to call it the Martha: disappointed in love and politics, he no longer clung to either, and thought the best name after all would be the Martyr.[(Back to Table of Content.)]