"Bosh! Who believes in fate? Don't talk nonsense, man. I am horribly sorry for you, as sorry as I can be for a man who is my friend, but who has never trusted or confided in me; but I stand now toward the admiral and Myra in such a position that I cannot keep aloof and see them insulted--well, I will not say that--see their feelings hurt by the reckless conduct of a man who is in the wrong." "In the wrong?" said Stratton involuntarily. "Yes, in the wrong. You have wronged Myra." Stratton sighed. "And made her the wreck she is. I don't say you could have made things better by speaking out--that is your secret--but I do say you could make matters better by keeping away." "Yes, I must go away as soon as possible." "You will, then?" cried Guest eagerly. "In the morning?" "No; yes, if I can get away." "That's quibbling, man; an excuse to get near and see her," cried Guest angrily. "I swear it is not," cried Stratton. "You will not believe me even after seeing your letter--which I had forgotten--was unopened." "I can't, Mal. I wish to goodness I could." "Never mind. I can say no more." "You mean that you will say no more," said Guest shortly. "I mean what I said," replied Stratton. "Very well. You must take your road; I must take mine." Stratton was silent, and Guest turned short round on his heel, took a couple of steps away, but turned back. "Mal, old chap, you make me wild," he cried, holding out his hand. "I know it's hard to bear--I know how you loved her, but sacrifice self for your honour's sake; be a man, and come away. There, I'll walk with you to the post town. You'll come?" "I cannot yet." "Why?" "It is better that I should not tell you," replied Stratton firmly. "Will you trust me?" "Will you confide in me, and tell me all your reasons for this strange conduct?" "Some day; not now." "You will not trust me, and you ask me to trust you. It can't be done, man; you ask too much. Once more, are we to be friends?" "Yes." "Then you will go?" "Yes." "At once?" "No." "Bah!" ejaculated Guest angrily, and he turned and strode away, while Stratton uttered a low sigh of misery, and yet of relief, for his friend's presence was irksome to him now that he wanted to act. He waited until Guest had been gone for some minutes, and then, taking a short cut, he strode along the sands, half in dread of encountering him again, but feeling that he must risk it, though certain that if they did meet Guest would reproach him with going toward the admiral's residence in order to obtain an interview with Myra.