Milk-and-Water then; that's settled, and I'm to see you at
the kirk with her for a lifetime of Sundays after this, an honest woman,
and me what I am for you that have forgotten me--forgotten me! I was as
good as she when you knew me first, Sim; I was not bad, and oh, my God!
but I loved you, Sim Mac-Taggart!"

"Of all that's damnable," said the Chamberlain to himself, "there's
nothing beats a whining woman!" He was in a mortal terror that her
transports could be heard across the room, and that would be to spoil
all with a vengeance.

"God pity women!" she went on. "It's a lesson. I was so happy sometimes
that it frightened me, and now I know I was right."

"What do you say, my dear?" cried out Petullo across the room,
suspiciously. He fancied he had heard an over-eager accent in her
last words, that were louder spoken than all that had gone before.
Fortunately he could not make out her face as he looked, otherwise
he would have seen, as Montaiglon did with some surprise, a mask of
Tragedy.

"I'm giving Mr. MacTaggart my congratulations on his coming marriage,"
said she quickly, with a miraculous effort at a little laugh, and the
Chamberlain cursed internally.

"Oh! it's that length, is it?" said Petullo with a tone of
gratification. "Did I no' tell you, Kate? You would deny't, and now you
have the best authority. Well, well, it's the way we a' maun gang, as
the auld blin' woman said, and here's wishing you the best o' luck!"

He came across to shake hands, but the Chamberlain checked him
hurriedly.

"Psha!" said he. "Madame's just a little premature, Mr. Petullo; there
must be no word o' this just now."

"Is it that way?" said Petullo. "Likely the Baron's thrawn. Man, he
hasna a roost, and he should be glad--" He stopped on reflection that
the Frenchman was an intimate of the family he spoke of, and hastily
returned to his side without seeing the pallor of his wife.

"And so it was old Vellum who clyped to you," said the Chamberlain to
the lady.

"I see it all plainly now," said she. "He brought her here just to put
her in your way and punish me. Oh, heavens, I'll make him rue for that!
And do you fancy I'm going to let you go so easily as all that, Sim?
Will Miss Mim-mou' not be shocked if I tell her the truth about her
sweetheart?"

"You would not dare!" said the Chamberlain.

"Oh! would I not?" Mrs. Petullo smiled in a fashion that showed she
appreciated the triumph of her argument. "What would I not