But, upon the whole, recollection holds me to it: dread of a lapse.

Nothing is so potent as fear well maintained.' De Stancy narrated these details in a grave meditative tone with his eyes on the wall, as if he were scarcely conscious of a listener.
'But haven't you reckless moments, captain ?--when you have taken a little more wine than usual, for instance ?' 'I don't take wine.' 'O, you are a teetotaller ?' 'Not a pledged one--but I don't touch alcohol unless I get wet, or anything of that sort.' 'Don't you sometimes forget this vow of yours to my mother ?' 'No, I wear a reminder.' 'What is that like ?' De Stancy held up his left hand, on the third finger of which appeared an iron ring.
Dare surveyed it, saying, 'Yes, I have seen that before, though I never knew why you wore it.

Well, I wear a reminder also, but of a different sort.' He threw open his shirt-front, and revealed tattooed on his breast the letters DE STANCY; the same marks which Havill had seen in the bedroom by the light of the moon.
The captain rather winced at the sight.

'Well, well,' he said hastily, 'that's enough....

Now, at any rate, you understand my objection to know Miss Power.' 'But, captain,' said the lad coaxingly, as he fastened his shirt; 'you forget me and the good you may do me by marrying?
Surely that's a sufficient reason for a change of sentiment.