“I shall go back to my cabin now,” Jasper remarked.  “I expect Mr. Westcote shortly, and so I must be there when he arrives.”

Slowly they walked along the road to the gate leading to the Sinclair house.  For a while neither spoke.  Jasper realised that it would be a long time ere he would again be with her who was so dear to him.  Perhaps never, for who could tell what the lap of the future might contain?  Lois was thinking of the same thing, and her heart was very heavy.  There came to her mind the words Margaret had so lightly spoken over the tea-cup.  Why had she not warned Jasper? she asked herself over and over again.  Never before had she fully comprehended what this man really meant to her.  He was the first one who had ever inspired her with the spirit of courage and endurance.  Not once had she heard him whine or complain but, in her presence at least, he had always appeared as master of his fate.  Now he was going from her, and she might never see him again.  But no matter what happened she was sure that he would bear himself manfully, and fight to the very last.

Having reached the gate, they paused.  Both knew that the moment for parting had come and strange feelings stirred their hearts.  Jasper thought that Lois never looked so beautiful.  Oh, if he were only certain that she loved him.  If he could only take her in his arms and tell her of his love, and feel that his great love was returned; then he could go down into the dark valley of trouble, and perhaps death, with a braver heart.  But, no, it would not do for him to tell of his love now with such a shadow hanging over his head.  There were many things he longed to do, but all he did was to step forward, seize Lois’ right hand in his, and press it fervently to his lips.  Instantly he realised his boldness.

“Forgive me,” he cried, “but I could not help it.”

“There is nothing to forgive,” Lois quietly replied, though her heart was beating fast and her face was more flushed than usual.  “You had better go now, for Mr. Westcote may come at any moment.  Good-bye, and may God bless and keep you.”

That was the hardest parting Jasper had ever known.  But as he walked up the road a new spirit possessed his soul.  He knew what it was to fight, for he had fought all his life long.  But now he had the vision of a fair woman to sustain him, and for her sake, and to show her that he was worthy of her trust he would still fight the fiercest battle of all.  What the outcome would be he could not tell, but he was determined to bear himself in such a manner that Lois would never be ashamed of him.  He well knew that even a defeated man might be more of a conquerer than those who triumphed over him.  And even as he walked there flashed suddenly into his mind a vision of the Man of Sorrows bearing his cross.  Why had he not thought of Him before? he asked himself.  There was his example to follow; there was the One who was the victor even on the cross, and there was the One to whom he could now turn for comfort in the hour of his great need.