, nor hers. We would
rather not give you the satisfaction of making what _you_ call
restitution. Milly's child--your child, too--will be mine now; I shall
adopt it for my own when I marry her. You will have nothing to do with
either of them. And I have brought you back the twenty pounds which you
gave her when you cruelly deserted her because you wanted to marry a
rich woman. In that parcel you will find a locket and one or two other
things that you gave her. I have told her, and Miss Campion, who has
been the best of friends to us both, has told her that she must
henceforth put the memory of you behind her, and live for those whom she
loves best."

"Certainly; it is better that she should," said Sydney.

"That is all I have to say," Johnson remarked, "except that I shall do
my best to help her to forget the past. But if ever _you_ can forget
your own cruelty and black treachery and villainy towards her----"

"That will do. I will not listen to insult from you or any man."

"You should rather be grateful to me for not exposing you to the world,"
said Johnson, drily, as he moved towards the door. "If it knew all that
I know, what would your career be worth, Mr. Campion? As it is, no one
knows the truth but ourselves and your sister, and all I want to remind
you of is, that if we forget it, and if you forget it, I believe there
is a God somewhere or other who never forgets."

"I am much obliged to you for the reminder," said Sydney, scornfully.
But he could not get back the usual clearness of his voice.

Johnson went out without another word, and a minute later the front door
was heard to close after him. Sydney stood perfectly still until that
sound was heard. Then he moved slowly towards the table, where an
envelope and a sealed packet were lying side by side. He looked at them
for a minute or two, and flung himself into an arm-chair beside the
table with an involuntary groan of pain. He was drawing the packet
towards him, when a movement behind the screen caused him to spring
desperately to his feet.

It was Nan, who had risen from the sofa and stood before him, her face
white as the gown she wore, her eyes wide with a new despair, her
fingers clutching at the collar of her dress as if the swelling throat
craved the relief of freedom from all bands. Sydney's heart contracted
with a sharp throb of pain, anger, fear--he scarcely knew which was
uppermost. It flashed across his mind that he had lost everything in
l