Page 313 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

‘Ah, Maurice!’
‘You can see him in the dock if you like,’ says Frere, with
a laugh, cut short by a flash of her eyes. ‘There, I didn’t mean
to offend you.’
‘Offend me! Go on.’
‘Listen here,’ said he doggedly. ‘If you will go away, and
promise never to interfere with me by word or deed, I’ll do
what you want.’
‘What will you do?’ she asked, unable to suppress a smile
at the victory she had won.
‘I will not say all I know about this man. I will say he be-
friended me. I will do my best to save his life.’
‘You can save it if you like.’
‘Well, I will try. On my honour, I will try.’
‘I must believe you, I suppose?’ said she doubtfully; and
then, with a sudden pitiful pleading, in strange contrast to
her former violence, ‘You are not deceiving me, Maurice?’
‘No. Why should I? You keep your promise, and I’ll keep
mine. Is it a bargain?’
‘Yes.’
He eyed her steadfastly for some seconds, and then
turned on his heel. As he reached the door she called him
back. Knowing him as she did, she felt that he would keep
his word, and her feminine nature could not resist a part-
ing sneer.
‘There is nothing in the bargain to prevent me helping
him to escape!’ she said with a smile.
‘Escape! He won’t escape again, I’ll go bail. Once get him
in double irons at Port Arthur, and he’s safe enough.’

1 For the Term of His Natural Life