"No," he said softly. "I told the little lass I wouldn't drink again, so as to be more fit to come nigh her, and I don't think I should do to go nigh her if I killed that spark of a fellow so as to be sure of getting a wife. It's curious what a woman can do," he went on musing. "They can make anything of a man--go through fire and water to get her, but it must be fire and water such as she'd be glad to see me go through. A year or so ago I'd got to that state with the prison life and the lash, that I'd have given any soldier or warder a crack on the head and killed him, and felt the happier for doing it. Since I've been nigh her--since that day she hung over me, and gave me water, and wiped the sweat from my face, I've seemed as if I must make myself cleaner about the heart; and I have, all but the drink, and that was his fault, for he was never happy when he wasn't forcing it on one. "No, my fine fellow," he said with a sigh, "you're safe enough for me. I won't hurt you; and as to her liking you--bah! If she does, I'll soon make her forget that." He took a cigar from his pocket, and was in the act of placing it between his lips when his gaze became fixed, and he stood staring straight before him. "Who's there?" he said in a quick, sharp whisper. "I can see you. You there!" He sprang over the rail, and his hand went by old habit into his pocket in search of a weapon; but the answer that came disarmed him. "It is I." "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" cried Crellock. "I am watching," said Bayle. "Yes," cried Crellock wearily. "Me, I suppose. Well, what have you seen? Do you think I was going to finish young Eaton? There--speak out." "I came up because I could not sleep," said Bayle quietly. "I was anxious about my friends. How is Mr Eaton?" "Go in and see," said Crellock roughly; and he led the way through the verandah. Bayle made no reply, but walked straight to the couch, after taking the candle from the chimney-piece, and examined the injured man. "He is sleeping comfortably and well," he said in a whisper, as he replaced the candle. "Of course he is," sneered Crellock. "You seem very fond of him." Bayle paid no heed to his manner, but stood as if thinking. "Well, are you going to stop? Have a cigar?" "I will stay and watch with you if you are tired, and relieve you for an hour or two," said Bayle, at last. "I'm not tired. You can stop if you like. You won't find me very good company." Bayle walked to the couch again, and stood looking down at the handsome dimly-seen face for a few minutes, while, with an impatient gesture, Crellock walked back into the verandah. At the end of a few minutes Bayle joined him. "You are going to stay then?" said Crellock. "No," replied Bayle, "I am going home." "Better stop," sneered Crellock. "He'll be safer if you do. I might do him some mischief." "No, Stephen Crellock," said Bayle calmly, "I am not afraid of that; bad as you are. Good-night."