"
Her voice broke and Merefleet made a convulsive movement towards her. But
he checked himself. And Mab ended in a choked whisper with an appealing
hand against his breast.
"Just go right away!" she said. "Take up your life where it was before
you met me! Will you, dear? It--will make it easier for me if you will."
A dead silence followed the low words. Then, moved by a marvellous
influence which worked upon him irresistibly, Merefleet stooped and put
the slight hand to his lips. He did not understand. He was as far from
reading the riddle as he had been when he entered. But his love for this
woman conquered his desire. He had thought to win an empire. He left the
room a beaten slave.
CHAPTER XV
Men said that Bernard Merefleet, the gold-king, was curiously changed
when once more he went among them. Something of the old grimness which
had earned for him his _sobriquet_ yet clung to his manner. But he was
undeniably softer than of yore. There was an odd gentleness about him.
Women said that he was marvellously improved. Among such as had known him
in New York he became a favourite, little as he attempted to court
favour.
Towards the end of the year he went down to the Midlands to stay with his
friend Perry Clinton. They had not met for several years, and Clinton,
who had married in the interval, also thought him changed.
"Is it prosperity or adversity that has made you so tame, dear fellow?"
he asked him, as they sat together over dessert one night.
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