lieved, he said:

"Look here, old fellow, I think if you'll give me your word of honour
there shall be no nonsense, I'll go back to my place and change,"--he
glanced at his wedding garments as he spoke.

"Yes, I would," said Stratton quietly.

"You are not going to be ill?"

"Certainly not."

"And I can trust you?"

"Of course."

"Then I will go."

"Oh, yes; I shall be all right now, and I may write to you from the
country and ask you to join me."

"Thanks," said Guest dryly; "but you are not going yet. We'll talk
about that when I come back."

"Come back?" said Stratton wildly.

"Oh, yes; I shan't be above an hour."

"But, really, my dear Percy--"

"I will not hear a word now. There, let some fresh air into the room;
the place smells stuffy; my fault, I suppose. It's as if the ghosts of
all the cigars I have smoked here were rising up in evidence against me.
Ta ta! I shall not be long."

Stratton made no reply, but smiled at him faintly as he passed out and
closed the door after him. But the moment Stratton was alone there was
a sudden change. He clasped his hands to his head, and began to pace
the room with rapid strides, but dropped one arm directly as he turned
pallid with pain.

"What to do?" he muttered--"what to do? Mad? Enough to make me. Well,
let them think what they please. It makes no difference now."

He thrust his hand into his pocket and took out a key, and then
shuddered; but drawing himself up, he set his teeth hard and crossed to
where the easy-chair stood in which he had passed the night, wheeled it
from the door, and went to the window after slipping the bolt.

His hand was on the blind, and he was in the act of drawing it down when
there was a knock, and he stood as if paralysed.

"Back so soon!" he thought, and, as if recalling the scene of the
previous day, when Guest insisted upon admission, he gave a sharp glance
round the room, smoothed his hair, and went and opened the door.

"Thank you, sir," said Mrs Brade, stepping in; and he involuntarily
gave way. "Mr Guest asked me to come in and tidy you."

"No, no, not to-day. I--"

"But Mr Guest said I was to, sir, and if you objected I was to tell you
to be calm. It's very glad I am to see you much better," said the
woman, going to the bedroom. "Why, you haven't been to bed all night,
sir. I don't wonder you look pale," she continued, re-entering and
crossing the room. "Did you use your bath?"

She uttere