And life was the great thing after all; life and health, and strength.

If he had sold his soul, his country, his friends, at least he would live--if naught happened to him to-night.

If naught--but ah, the thought pierced him to the heart.

He who had proved himself in old days no mean soldier in the field, who had won honour in more than one fight, felt his brow grow damp, his knees grow flaccid, knew himself a coward.

For the life which he must risk was not the old life, but the new one which he had bought so dearly; the new one for which he had given his soul, his country, and his friends.