roach me not, Margaret,' replied Disbrowe. 'I would give worlds to
undo what I have done.'

'Who shall guard me against the recurrence of such conduct?' said Mrs
Disbrowe, coldly. 'But you have not yet informed me how I was saved!'

Disbrowe averted his head.

'What mean you?' she cried, seizing his arm. 'What has happened? Do not
keep me in suspense? Were you my preserver?'

'Your preserver was the plague,' rejoined Disbrowe, mournfully.

The unfortunate lady then, for the first time, perceived that she was
attacked by the pestilence, and a long and dreadful pause ensued, broken
only by exclamations of anguish from both.

'Disbrowe!' cried Margaret at length, raising herself in bed, 'you have
deeply, irrecoverably injured me. But promise me one thing.'

'I swear to do whatever you may desire,' he replied.

'I know not, after what I have heard, whether you have courage for the
deed,' she continued. 'But I would have you kill this man.'

'I will do it,' replied Disbrowe.

'Nothing but his blood can wipe out the wrong he has done me,' she
rejoined. 'Challenge him to a duel--a mortal duel. If he survives, by my
soul, I will give myself to him.'

'Margaret!' exclaimed Disbrowe.

'I swear it,' she rejoined,' and you know my passionate nature too well
to doubt I will keep my word.'

'But you have the plague!'

'What does that matter? I may recover.'

'Not so,' muttered Disbrowe. 'If I fall, I will take care you do not
recover.... I will fight him to-morrow,' he added aloud.

About noon on the following day Disbrowe proceeded to the Smyrna
Coffee-house, where, as he expected, he found Parravicin and his
companions. The knight instantly advanced towards him, and laying aside
for the moment his reckless air, inquired, with a look of commiseration,
after his wife.

'She is better,' replied Disbrowe, fiercely. 'I am come to settle
accounts with you.'

'I thought they were settled long ago,' returned Parravicin, instantly
resuming his wonted manner. 'But I am glad to find you consider the debt
unpaid.'

Disbrowe lifted the cane he held in his hand, and struck the knight with
it forcibly on the shoulder. 'Be that my answer,' he said.

'I will have your life first, and your wife afterwards,' replied
Parravicin fiercely.

'You shall have her if you slay me, but not otherwise,' retorted
Disbrowe. 'It must be a mortal duel.'

'It must,' replied Parravicin. 'I will not spare you this time. I shall
instantly p