But the argosy they awaited was not yet in sight, and he
confessed that certain proposals which he had made to Asad for landing
her in France had been rejected. Still she need have no fear, he added
promptly, seeing the sudden alarm that quickened in her eyes. A way
would present itself. He was watching, and would miss no chance.
"And if no chance should offer?" she asked him.
"Why then I will make one," he answered, lightly almost. "I have been
making them all my life, and it would be odd if I should have lost the
trick of it on my life's most important occasion."
This mention of his life led to a question from her.
"How did you contrive the chance that has made you what you are? I
mean," she added quickly, as if fearing that the purport of that question
might be misunderstood, "that has enabled you to become a corsair
captain."
"'Tis a long story that," he said. "I should weary you in the telling of
it."
"No," she replied, and shook her head, her clear eyes solemnly meeting
his clouded glance. "You would not weary me. Chances may be few in
which to learn it."
"And you would learn it?" quoth he, and added, "That you may judge me?"
"Perhaps," she said, and her eyes fell.
With bowed head he paced the length of the small chamber, and back again.
His desire was to do her will in this, which is natural enough--for if it
is true that who knows all must perforce forgive all, never could it have
been truer than in the case of Sir Oliver Tressilian.
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