al termination exactly as it
occurred; not the slightest effort did he make at exculpation for his
own share in it; and he only deplored the misfortune in its effect upon
the object he had in view.

"If Dunn," said he, "hadn't been so ready with his pistol, I believe we
might have come to terms; but there's no guarding against accidents. As
matters stand, Annesley must make his own fight, for, of course, I can
be of little use to him or to any one else till the assizes are over.
So far as I can see, the case is a bad one, and Conway most likely to
succeed; but there's yet time for a compromise. I wish you 'd take the
whole affair into your own hands."

To enable her to enter clearly upon a question of such complication,
he gave a full narrative, so far as he could, of the contested claim,
showing each step he had himself taken in defence, and with what object
he had despatched Paul Classon to the Crimea. Three entire pages were
filled with this theme; of himself, and his own precarious fortunes, he
said very little indeed.

"Don't be alarmed, Lizzy," wrote he; "if the coroner's inquest should
find a verdict of 'Wilful Murder' against me, such a decision does not
signify a rush; and as I mean to reserve all my defence for the trial,
such a verdict is likely enough. There will be, besides this, the
regular hue and cry people get up against the gambler, the leg, and who
knows what else they 'll call me. Don't mind that, either, girl. Let the
moralists wag their charitable tongues; we can afford to make a
waiting race, and, if I don't mistake much, before the trial comes off,
Davenport Dunn himself will be more ill thought of than Kit Davis. Above
all, however, don't show in public; get away from Rome, and stay for a
month or two in some quiet, out-of-the-way place, where people cannot
make remarks upon your manner, and either say, 'See how this disgraceful
affair has cut her up,' or, 'Did you ever see any one so brazen under an
open shame?'

"I have sent for Ewin Jones, the lawyer, and expect him by the down
train; if he should say anything worth repeating to you, I 'll add it
ere I seal this."

A little lower down the page were scrawled, half illegibly, the
following few words:--

"Another search for the ball, and no better luck; it has got down
amongst some nerves, where they 're afraid to follow it,--a sort of
Chancery Court Jones is here, and thinks 'we 'll do,' particularly if
'the Press' blackguards Dunn well