"Can I see you
home?" he said, kindly. "You had better not walk, if it is far. You
mustn't overexert yourself; you mustn't catch a chill this cold night."

Midwinter took his hand and thanked him. "I have been used to hard
walking and cold nights, sir," he said; "and I am not easily worn out,
even when I look so broken as I do now. If you will tell me the nearest
way out of these streets, I think the quiet of the country and the quiet
of the night will help me. I have something serious to do to-morrow," he
added, in a lower tone; "and I can't rest or sleep till I have thought
over it to-night."

The surgeon understood that he had no common man to deal with. He gave
the necessary directions without any further remark, and parted with his
patient at his own door.

Left by himself, Midwinter paused, and looked up at the heavens in
silence. The night had cleared, and the stars were out--the stars which
he had first learned to know from his gypsy master on the hillside. For
the first time his mind went back regretfully to his boyish days. "Oh,
for the old life!" he thought, longingly. "I never knew till now how
happy the old life was!"

He roused himself, and went on toward the open country. His face
darkened as he left the streets behind him and advanced into the
solitude and obscurity that lay beyond.

"She has denied her husband to-night," he said. "She shall know her
master to-morrow."

III. THE PURPLE FLASK.

The cab was waiting at the gates as Miss Gwilt approached the
Sanitarium. Mr. Bashwood got out and advanced to meet her. She took his
arm and led him aside a few steps, out of the cabman's hearing.

"Think what you like of me," she said, keeping her thick black veil down
over her face, "but don't speak to me to-night. Drive back to your hotel
as if nothing had happened. Meet the tidal train to-morrow as usual, and
come to me afterward at the Sanitarium. Go without a word, and I shall
believe there is one man in the world who really loves me. Stay and ask
questions, and I shall bid you good-by at once and forever!"

She pointed to the cab. In a minute more it had left the Sanitarium and
was taking Mr. Bashwood back to his hotel.

She opened the iron gate and walked slowly up to the house door. A
shudder ran through her as she rang the bell. She laughed bitterly.
"Shivering again!" she said to herself. "Who would have thought I had so
much feeling left in me?"

For once in her life the doctor's