might answer a
confidential question he had just put to me with regard to a
disputed incident in the Afridi campaign. We were in the dark
and partly behind a screen. Then the door opened. I confess
the sight of Lady Henry paralyzed me. A great, murderous,
six-foot Afridi--that would have been simple enough. But a
woman--old and ill and furious--with that Medusa's face--no!
My nerves suddenly failed me. What right had I in her house,
after all? As she advanced into the room, I slipped out
behind her. General Fergus and M. du Bartas joined me in the
hall. We walked to Bond Street together. They were divided
between laughter and vexation. I should have laughed--if I
could have forgotten you.

"But what could I have done for you, dear lady, if I had
stayed out the storm? I left you with three or four devoted
adherents, who had, moreover, the advantage over me of either
relationship or old acquaintance with Lady Henry. Compared to
them, I could have done nothing to shield you. Was it not
best to withdraw? Yet all the way home I accused myself
bitterly. Nor did I feel, when I reached home, that one who
had not grasped your hand under fire had any right to rest or
sleep. But anxiety for you, regrets for myself, took care of
that; I got my deserts.

"After all, when the pricks and pains of this great wrench
are over, shall we not all acknowledge that it is best the
crash should have come? You have suffered and borne too much.
Now we shall see you expand in a freer and happier life. The
Duchess has asked me to dinner to-morrow--the note has just
arrived--so that I shall soon have the chance of hearing from
you some of those details I so much want to know. But before
then you will write?

"As for me, I am full of alternate hopes and fears. General
Fergus, as we walked home, was rather silent and bearish--I
could not flatter myself that he had any friendly intentions
towards me in his mind. But Montresor was more than kind, and
gave me some fresh opportunities of which I was very glad to
avail myself. Well, we shall know soon.

"You told me once that if, or when, this happened, you would
turn to your pen, and that Dr. Meredith would find you
openings. That is not to be regretted, I think. You have
great gifts, which will bring