on the shaky-legged
native benches?"

"Rather! That was when I never bothered about anything. I have never
slept so well since."

We went into my room. Two lamps were burning here, and the thick blinds
shut out all signs of the dreary dawning light. Walters followed us in
a few seconds and set a tray of glasses and bottles on the table. I
flung off my overcoat and sat down in an arm-chair, pressing the palms
of my hands hard on my forehead in the vain effort to deaden the
tearing pain.

"Try some of those cigars," I said, after a minute, "they are not bad,
and take whatever you like to drink," and I got up and filled my glass
at the same time.

"I think that brandy is the worst thing for your head," remarked Dick,
looking dubiously at the glass.

"But I am so confoundedly thirsty!"

"Take the soda without the brandy, then. Really, I would advise you not
to touch that spirit to-night."

"Oh, I don't much care! let it be the soda;" and I filled another
tumbler with the latter and drank it. "But what is your own opinion
about this business with Lucia," I asked, when Dick had stretched
himself on the sofa and started his cigar. "What puzzles me so is the
great change in her--a change apparently in the whole tenour of her
feelings. You can't think how wide the difference is between her now
and a year ago. I told you that she came over to Paris to see me,
didn't I?"

Dick nodded.

"That was only twelve months back, and she was simply--well, she was
evidently very much in love then. You know what I mean, and she made no
effort to conceal it. She urged our marriage; and then, when we decided
it was impossible, she would have liked me to go any reasonable lengths
in demonstration of my love for her, and so on. I made a mistake there,
perhaps, but I thought it unwise. We hardly knew where we were as it
was. She seemed utterly weak, and I felt she might say things in those
moments she would be fearfully cut up to remember afterwards. It seemed
dishonourable in my shackled, circumscribed position to lead her any
farther on. That was my idea--perhaps it was mistaken--I don't know.
Anyway we shook hands merely. Then, at that time, she invited a kiss in
every way short of demanding it. Now, to-night I kissed her hand, not a
very extraordinary nor embarrassing action, and yet I thought she was
going to faint as a result. It moved some very strong sensation,
repulsion or disgust, or something, and I want to know what."

"