Brand looked up; he understood what was meant.
"If I am ordered—yes."
He held out his right hand; on the third finger there was a massive gold ring—a plain hoop, without motto or design whatever.
"There," said he, "is the first ring I ever wore. It was given to me this afternoon, to remind me of a promise; and that promise is to me more binding than a hundred oaths."
He rose with a sigh.
"Ah, well, Evelyn, whatever happens we will not complain. There have been compensations."
"But you have not told me what answer you mean to give to Lind."
"Suppose I wait until I see him before deciding?"
"Then you will say, No. You have allowed your distrust of him to become a sort of mania, and the moment you see him the mere sight of him will drive you into antagonism."
"I tell you what I wish I could do, Evelyn," said the other, laughing: "I wish I could turn over everything I have got to you, and escape scot-free to America and start my own life free and unencumbered."