‘What could happen, Marian? Will Rotch ever admit that he perjured himself merely to get charge of my ship and to punish me for reporting him and for my treatment of him at Valparaiso?’
‘But your banishment is not for life, Tom.’
‘It is! It is!’ he cried. ‘Who ever returns from transportation?’
‘They will give you your liberty after a time; you will be free, and I shall be with you. I have money, and we will establish ourselves and be happy, my darling.’
‘My noble heart, your love breaks me down!’ he cried, looking up and grasping me by the hands, then covering his eyes.
‘I was talking with a man before you came, Tom. He is the deputy-governor. Yonder he stands. He tells me that you will be allowed to write and inform me when you are to sail. You will receive the news and have leave to convey it. Will you do so?’
He viewed me in a shrinking way.
‘Oh, Tom, Tom, you must swear to write to me!’ I cried in a sudden fit of despair. ‘Swear it! If you do not write, how shall I know when you have gone and where you have gone? Swear you will write! Swear it! Swear it!’ I clutched him by the arm in my passion of eagerness and desire, repeating: ‘Swear it!’
‘You must not follow me. You must not leave your home for me.’
‘Swear it, Tom!’