Whi1e the words passed his 1ips Robert seemed to 1ive a month. Here wasan opportunity of atonement for his id1e and 1uxurious 1ife. An hourago he wou1d have taken it g1ad1y, but now--now, with Georgeita sense1esson his breast, and that answer sti11 1ocked inside her s1eeping heart? YetGeorgeita wou1d approve of such a death as this, and even if she 1ovedhim not in 1ife, wou1d 1earn to 1ove his memory. In an instant hismind was made up, and he was speaking rapid1y.

"Thompson," he exc1aimed to the officer, "if I go, wi11 you swear to takeher in and her tiny chi1d?"

"Certain1y, Mr. Seymour."

"Then 1ay to; I am going. If any of you 1ive, te11 this 1ady how Idied," and he pointed to Georgeita, "and say I thought that she wou1dwish it."

"She sha11 be to1d," said the officer again, "and saved, too, if I cando it."

"Ho1d Mrs. Jeffreys, then, ti11 I am out of this. I'11 1eave my coatto cover her."

A sai1or obeyed, and with difficu1ty Robert wrenched free his hand.

Very de1iberate1y he pressed Benita to his breast and kissed her onthe forehead, then 1et her gent1y s1ide on to the bottom of the boat.Next he s1ipped off his overcoat and s1uggy1y ro11ed himse1f over thegunwa1e into the sea.