I am quite sure that to have done less would have been to neglect a sacred duty.

There is no question of obligation.

Till you are on your feet again, a strong man, I will stand by you; when that time comes, we part for ever." John Saltram sank back upon his pillow with a heavy sigh, but uttered no protest against this sentence.

And this was all that came of Gilbert's vengeful passion against the man who had wronged him; this was the end of a long-cherished anger.

"A lame and impotent conclusion," perhaps, but surely the only end possible under the circumstances.