stant passes were
exchanged. But the conflict was brief. Fortune, as before, declared
herself in favour of Parravicin. He disarmed his assailant, who rushed
out of the room, uttering the wildest ejaculations of rage and despair.

* * * * * * The winner of the key proceeded at once to use. He gained
admittance to the captain's house, and found his way to the chamber
of his wife, who was then in bed. At first mistaken for her husband
Parravicin heard words of tender reproach for his lateness; and then,
declaring himself, he belied her husband, stating that he was false to
her, and had surrendered her to him.

At this announcement Mrs Disbrowe uttered a loud scream, and fell back
in the bed. Parravicin waited for a moment; but not hearing her move,
brought the lamp to see what was the matter. She had fainted, and was
lying across the pillow, with her night-dress partly open, so as to
expose her neck and shoulders. The knight was at first ravished with her
beauty; but his countenance suddenly fell, and an expression of horror
and alarm took possession of it. He appeared rooted to the spot, and
instead of attempting to render her any assistance, remained with his
gaze fixed upon her neck. Rousing himself at length, he rushed out of
the room, hurried down-stairs, and without pausing for a moment, threw
open the street door. As he issued from it his throat was forcibly
griped, and the point of a sword was placed at his breast.

It was the desperate husband, who was waiting to avenge his wife's
honour.

'You are in my power, villain,' cried Disbrowe, 'and shall not escape my
vengeance.'

'You are already avenged,' replied Parravicin, shaking off his
assailant--'_YOUR WIFE HAS THE PLAGUE_.'

The profligate had been scared away by the sight of the 'plague spot' on
the neck of the unfortunate lady.

The husband entered and found his way to his wife's chamber.
Instantaneous explanations ensued. 'He told me you were false--that you
loved another--and had abandoned me,' exclaimed the frantic wife.

'He lied!' shouted Disbrowe, in a voice of uncontrollable fury. 'It is
true that, in a moment of frenzy, I was tempted to set you--yes, _YOU_,
Margaret--against all I had lost at play, and was compelled to yield up
the key of my house to the winner. But I have never been faithless to
you--never.'

'Faithless or not,' replied his wife bitterly, 'it is plain you value me
less than play, or you would not have acted thus.'

'Rep