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 woman, and don't you think any such thing. Whatever put that into your head?"

"I could not tell you," said she. "We do not think these things—we know them."

At this he set off laughing again, and did his best to cheer her up—though it was poor work he made of it at the best. By and by, when he had seen a nice little breakfast sent up to her rooms, he came to me, and I knew then that he took it worse than I thought he would.

"Well," says he, "the fool's gone, right enough. There's no word or sign yet. I'll begin to think by and by that harm has come to him."

"In that case, sir," said I, "it's pity that what was said two nights ago couldn't wait."

"How do you mean?" he asked.

"Why—it's no good disguising it—you threatened to murder him."

"Good God! Would they think that?"

"There's some that might."

He stood stock still when I had said this, and his face was very white.

"It's luck to make one gnash the teeth," said he presently. "I'd have married her within the week!"

"There's no reason why you shouldn't now, sir," said I, "always supposing that it's well with him. But there are things to do."

"You think so?"

"Certainly; and if it was me that was concerned,