“I 'm aware of all that, but I 'm going to Melbourne,” said Risca, doggedly. “If I stay here, I'm dead.”
“When do you propose to start?”
“I shall take my ticket to-morrow on the first available boat.”
Herold laid his nervous hand on the other's burly shoulder.
“Is it fair in this reckless way to spring such a tremendous decision on those who care for you?”
“Who on God's earth really cares for me except yourself? It will be a wrench parting from you, but it has to be.”
“You've forgotten Stellamaris,” said Herold.
“I have n't,” replied Risca, morosely; “but she 's only a child. She looks upon me as a creature out of a fairy-tale. Realities, thank God! have no place in that room of hers. I 'll soon fade out of her mind.”
“Stella is fifteen, not five,” said Herold.
“Age makes no difference, I 'm not going to see her again,” said he.