What hindered me, I know not.

'Twas not alone the thought of Ludar, or the remembrance of my own honour, or the fear of her contempt.

Be it what it may, I was helped by Heaven that night to be a man, and with a mighty effort to shake off the spell that was on me.

So I rose to my feet and walked abaft.

Many a time I paced to and fro cooling my fevered brow ere I ventured to return.