shall never forget; it was drawn, haggard, livid, with bloodless lips
and wild, glaring eyes.

"He laid the bank-notes down, and, going to the door, closed it softly,
turning the key; and then clutching my arm in a grasp of iron, he hissed
rather than said:

"'What fiend has brought you here?'

"He did not frighten me, Vane; I have never known fear. But his eyes
were full of murderous hate, and I had an idea that he would have few
scruples as to taking my life.

"'So, Captain Aubrey Langton,' I said, slowly, 'you are a thief! You are
robbing the old friend who has been so good to you!'

"He dragged me to the table on which the money lay, and then I saw a
revolver lying there, too.

"'One word,' he hissed, 'one whisper above your breath, and you shall
die!'

"I know my face expressed no fear--nothing but scorn and contempt--for
his grew more livid as he watched me.

"'It is all your fault!' he hissed into my ear; 'it is your accursed
pride that has driven me to this! Why did you not promise to marry me
when my life lay in your hands?'

"I laughed--the idea of a Darrell married to this midnight thief!

"'I told you I was a desperate man,' he went on. 'I pleaded with you, I
prayed to you, I laid my life at your feet, and you trampled on it with
scorn. I told you of my debts, my difficulties, and you laughed at them.
If I could have gone back to London betrothed to you, every city usurer
would have been willing to lend me money. I am driven to this, for I
cannot go back to face ruin. You have driven me to it; you are the
thief, though my hands take the money. Your thrice-accursed pride has
ruined me!'

"'I shall go to Sir Oswald,' I said, 'and wake him. You shall not rob
him!'

"'Yes,' he returned, 'I shall. I defy you, I dare you; you shall tell no
one.'

"He took the revolver from the table and held it to my head; I felt the
cold steel touch my forehead.

"'Now,' he said, 'your life is in your own hands; you must take an oath
not to betray me, or I will fire.'

"'I am not afraid to die; I would rather die than hide such sin as
yours. You cannot frighten me; I shall call for assistance.'

"'Wait a moment,' he said, still keeping that cold steel to my forehead,
and still keeping his murderous eyes on my face; 'listen to what I shall
do. The moment you cry out I shall fire, and you will fall down dead--I
told you I was a desperate man. Before any one has time to come I shall
place the bank-notes in you