particulars of the tragedy,--and she did so far overcome her
horror as to tell them all. She told her tale somewhat after the
manner of Aeneas, not forgetting the "quorum pars magna fui." "I feel
that it almost makes an old woman of me," said she, when she had
finished.

"No," said Johnny, remonstrating, "not that."

"But it does. To have been concerned in so terrible a tragedy takes
more of life out of one than years of tranquil existence." As she
had told him nothing of her intercourse with Bangles,--with Bangles
who had literally picked the poor wretch up,--he did not see how
she herself had been concerned in the matter; but he said nothing
about that, knowing the character of his Madalina. "I shall
see--that--body, floating before my eyes while I live," she said,
"and the gory wound, and,--and--" "Don't," said Johnny, recoiling in
truth from the picture by which he was revolted. "Never again," she
said, "never again! But you forced it from me, and now I shall not
close my eyes for a week."

She then became very comfortably confidential, and discussed
the affairs of poor Mrs. Dobbs Broughton with a great deal of
satisfaction. "I went to see her, of course, but she sent me down
word to say that the shock would be too much for her. I do not wonder
that she should not see me. Poor Maria! She came to me for advice,
you know, when Dobbs Broughton first proposed to her; and I was
obliged to tell her what I really thought. I knew her character so
well! 'Dear Maria,' I said, 'if you think that you can love him, take
him!' 'I think I can,' she replied. 'But,' said I, 'make yourself
quite sure about the business.' And how has it turned out? She
never loved him. What heart she has she has given to the wretched
Dalrymple."

"I don't see that he is particularly wretched," said Johnny, pleading
for his friend.

"He is wretched, and so you'll find. She gave him her heart after
giving her hand to poor Dobbs; and as for the business, there isn't
as much left as will pay for her mourning. I don't wonder that she
could not bring herself to see me."

"And what has become of the business?"

"It belongs to Mrs. Van Siever,--to her and Musselboro. Poor Broughton
had some little money, and it has gone among them. Musselboro, who
never had a penny, will be a rich man. Of course you know that he is
going to marry Clara?"

"Nonsense!"

"I always told you that it would be so. And now you may perhaps
acknowledge that Conway Dalrym