As for him, he sank back into the great chair beside the Governor’s, leaned an elbow on the table, and hid his eyes with one shaking hand.

The Governor rose to his feet, and motioned away the two seamen who held me fast. “We’ll have no hanging this morning, gentlemen,” he announced. “Captain Percy, I beg to apologize to you for words that were never meant for a brave and gallant gentleman, but for a pirate who I find does not exist. I pray you to forget them, quite.”

I returned his bow, but my eyes traveled past him.

“I will allow you no words with my Lord Carnal,” he said. “With your wife, — that is different.” He moved aside with a smile.

She was standing, pale, with downcast eyes, where my lord had left her.