Digital heart book

I resented his
departure in the light of a desertion; I would not say,
but doubtless I betrayed it; and something hang-dog in
the man's face and bearing led me to believe he was
himself remorseful. It is certain at least that,
during the time of his preparations, we drew sensibly
apart--a circumstance that I recall with shame. On the
last day he had me to dinner at a restaurant which he
knew I had formerly frequented, and had only forsworn
of late from considerations of economy. He seemed ill
at ease; I was myself both sorry and sulky; and the
meal passed with little conversation.
"Now, Loudon," said he, with a visible effort, after
the coffee was come and our pipes lighted, "you can
never understand the gratitude and loyalty I bear you.
You don't know what a boon it is to be taken up by a
man that stands on the pinnacle of civilisation; you
can't think how it's refined and purified me, how it's
appealed to my spiritual nature; and I want to tell you
that I would die at your door like a dog.
I don't know what answer I tried to make, but he cut me
short.


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