he had said enough that laurence might without undue speculation imagine the sort of treatment which had driven tharkay to abandon country and companionship for his present solitary existence , beholden to none and of none , which to laurence seemed utterly barren , a waste of a man proven worthy of something better ; and stretching out his hand he said earnestly , `` if you can believe it so in this case , then give me your word , and take mine - i hope i may in safety promise to give no less than full measure of loyalty to any man who gives me his , and i think i would be sorrier to lose you than i yet know . ''