He might spare Muriel.

And against that awful possibility he felt it his duty now to guard at all hazard.
"No, Muriel," he said, kissing her, and holding her pale hand, "I must go alone.

You can't come with me.

If I return, we will have gained at least a respite, till the Australasian may turn up.

If I don't, you will at any rate have strength of mind left to swallow the poison, before Tu-Kila-Kila comes to claim you." Hour after hour passed by slowly, and Felix and the Shadow watched the stars at the door, to know when the hour for the attempt had arrived.