But it was so. Humphrey Armstrong was not content without Bart or Dinny at his side all through his severe illness, which lasted till they were nearing home. During the voyage he learned by degrees the whole history of the escape of the relics of his crew, consequent upon the division in the camp and the chaotic state of discipline which obtained among the buccaneers during the latter days. He heard more, too, of their struggles to reach a port, and of the rescue which had been planned and successfully carried out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ One evening as Humphrey Armstrong sat on deck wondering to himself that he could be so changed as to look with distaste upon the western shores of England, gilded by the evening sun, he became conscious of another presence close behind, and looking sharply round it was to see the haggard, worn face of Bart as he stood there, bent and terribly changed by mental suffering, and his wounds. As he saw Humphrey Armstrong gaze wonderingly at him he raised one hand and pointed to the dimly-seen cliff line, ruddy in the western glow. "Home, sir," he cried, hoarsely. "Yes, Bart, home," said Humphrey, gloomily. "What are you going to do!" "You know best, sir. Prison, or the rope!" Humphrey started sadly, and held out his hand, which the rough fellow, after a momentary hesitation, took. "Bart, my lad," said Humphrey, "why not take the old cottage and settle down to your former life! I should like it if you'd do this thing. Will you!" "Will I!" said the poor fellow in suffocating tones. "God bless you, sir! You've made me happier than I ever hoped to be again." "Take it or buy it, Bart, as soon as you reach home. I wish it done, only it is to be kept unchanged, as we two keep her secret." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A fortnight had passed, during which period Humphrey Armstrong had kept himself quite in seclusion, when in obedience to a stern resolve he journeyed slowly up to town. He had good excuse for his dilatory ways, being still far from strong; but now he was bound on the task of performing what he told himself was his duty--that of going straight to Lady Jenny Wildersey, confessing every thing in an open, manly way, and begging her to set him free from the engagement he had made. "I could not marry such a woman now," he said to himself again and again; "she would drive me mad!" It was a hard struggle, but he was determined to carry it through, and one morning he crossed the Park and the Mall, and made his way straight into Saint James's Square.