I think a man has no right to sell his life any more than his soul for so many thousands a year." Robert Lyon smiled--"No, and I am not selling mine.

With my temperate habits I have as good a chance of health at Bombay as in London--perhaps better.

And the years I must be absent I would have been absent almost as much from you--I mean they would have been spent in work as engrossing and as hard.

They will soon pass, and then I shall come home rich--rich.

Do you think I am growing mercenary ?" "No." "Tell me what you do think about me ?" "I--can not quite understand." "And I cannot make you understand.