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256 "Rather for yourself," replied she, with the greatest composure; "you might be implicated in the charge of murder." Sir George hastily approached the balcony; and Lady Marchmont said, "while in her eye the gladiator broke," so fierce even was the expression of her beautiful face,—"I do not think that Sir George Kingston will boast to-morrow of his interview with me to-night" He hurried down the steps, and a wild hysterical laugh rang after him. There was something in the sound that startled even the careless and hardened Sir George Kingston. Still, before he got half way across the park, vanity again floated on the surface. "What a pity," muttered he, "that I shall not be able to tell to-night's tête-à-tête! She has taken good care to prevent it." She had taken more care than he suspected. Even while he spoke a fiery pain darted, like a bird of prey, on his heart; he gasped for breath; and when the agony was over, felt utterly exhausted. He staggered for support against a tree near. By a strange coincidence, it was