"I have also to thank you for my life." "Thank the friend who stands beside you," returned Heliobas, in the same low tone, with a slight gesture towards me.

"She reminded me of a duty in time.

As for pardon, I know of no cause of offence on your part save what was perfectly excusable.

Say no more; wisdom comes with years, and you are yet young." A long silence followed.

We all remained looking wistfully down upon the body of our lost darling, in thought too deep for words or weeping.
I then noticed that another humble mourner shared our watch--a mourner whose very existence I had nearly forgotten.