They had found only what they had expected to find, and yet, now that they had found it, they were far more touched and softened than they could have thought possible.

They stayed in silence a few moments, and then Cecil, lifting up his head, said suddenly,-- "Sam Buckley! there can be no debate between us two, with this lying here between us.

Let us speak now." "There has never been any debate, Cecil," said he, "and there never would be, though this little corpse was buried fathoms deep.

It takes two to make a quarrel, Cecil, and I will not be one." "Sam," said Cecil, "I love Alice Brentwood better than all the world besides." "I know it." "And you love her too, as well, were it possible, as I do." "I know that too." "Why," resumed Cecil hurriedly, "has this come to pass?
Why has it been my unlucky destiny, that the man I love and honour above all others should become my rival?
Are there no other women in the world?
Tell me, Sam, why is it forced on me to choose between my best friend and the woman I love dearer than life?
Why has this terrible emergency come between us ?" "I will tell you why," said Sam, speaking very quietly, as though fearing to awaken the dead: "to teach us to behave like men of honour and gentlemen, though our hearts break.

That is why, Cecil." "What shall we do ?" said Cecil.
"Easily answered," said Sam.