Yes, but suppose the French were driven out, and the baker taken prisoner and should reveal his father's complicity! And suppose people asked why he himself did not go at once to the Hospital Barracks in the town and to the Governor, and afterwards to Gorey?
These were direful imaginings.

He felt that it was no use; that the lie could not go on concerning his father.

The world would know; the one thing left for him was to die.

He was only a boy, but he could fight.
Had not young Philip d'Avranche; the midshipman, been in deadly action many times?
He was nearly as old as Philip d'Avranche--yes, he would fight, and, fighting, he would die.

To live as the son of such a father was too pitiless a shame.
He ran forward, but a weakness was on him; he was very hungry and thirsty-and the sword was heavy.