o longer
dared to turn him out, he, who had half-imposed his native tongue
upon us, constraining the household to a hideous jargon, the bastard
growth of two languages, condescended to jerk us back rudely into our
own speech once more, mastering it with a readiness that proved his
former dissimulation, and using it henceforward as the sole vehicle
of his wishes. On his past life he remained silent; but took
occasion to confide in me that he proposed embracing a military
career, as soon as he should tire of the shelter of my roof.

And I groaned in my chamber; for that which I feared had come to
pass. He was making open love to my wife. And the eyes with which
he looked at her, and the lips with which he coaxed her, had been
mine; and I was an old man. Judge now between me and this guest.

One morning I went to my wife; for the burden was past bearing, and I
must satisfy myself. I found her tending the plants on her
window-ledge; and when she turned, I saw that years had not taken
from her comeliness one jot. And I was old.

So I taxed her on the matter of this Stranger, saying this and that,
and how I had cause to believe he loved her.

"That is beyond doubt," she answered, and smiled.

"By my head, I believe his fancy is returned!" I blurted out.

And her smile grew radiant, as, looking me in the face, she answered,
"By my soul, husband, it is."

Then I went from her, down into my garden, where the day grew hot and
the flowers were beginning to droop. I stared upon them and could
find no solution to the problem that worked in my heart. And then I
glanced up, eastward, to the sun above the privet-hedge, and saw
_him_ coming across the flower beds, treading them down in
wantonness. He came with a light step and a smile, and I waited for
him, leaning heavily on my stick.

"Give me your watch!" he called out, as he drew near.

"Why should I give you my watch?" I asked, while something worked in
my throat.

"Because I wish it; because it is gold; because you are too old, and
won't want it much longer."

"Take it," I cried, pulling the watch out and thrusting it into his
hand. "Take it--you who have taken all that is better! Strip me,
spoil me--"

A soft laugh sounded above, and I turned. My wife was looking down
on us from the window, and her eyes were both moist and glad.

"Pardon me," she said, "it is you who are spoiling the child."

STORIES OF BLEAKIRK.

I.--THE AFFAIR OF BLEA