h. Ay," he
cried, stretching forth his hand, "ay, that will be a day of
retribution. Then shall the pallid constable flee side by side with the
detected thief. Blaze!" he cried, "blaze, derided city! Fall, flatulent
monarchy, fall like Dagon!"

With these words his foot slipped upon the lead; and but for Somerset's
quickness, he had been instantly precipitated into space. Pale as a
sheet, and limp as a pocket-handkerchief, he was dragged from the edge
of downfall by one arm; helped, or rather carried, down the ladder; and
deposited in safety on the attic landing. Here he began to come to
himself, wiped his brow, and at length, seizing Somerset's hand in both
of his, began to utter his acknowledgments.

"This seals it," said he. "Ours is a life and death connection. You have
plucked me from the jaws of death; and if I were before attracted by
your character, judge now of the ardour of my gratitude and love! But I
perceive I am still greatly shaken. Lend me, I beseech you, lend me your
arm as far as my apartment."

A dram of spirits restored the plotter to something of his customary
self-possession; and he was standing, glass in hand and genially
convalescent, when his eye was attracted by the dejection of the
unfortunate young man.

"Good Heavens, dear Somerset," he cried, "what ails you? Let me offer
you a touch of spirits."

But Somerset had fallen below the reach of this material comfort.

"Let me be," he said. "I am lost; you have caught me in the toils. Up to
this moment, I have lived all my life in the most reckless manner, and
done exactly what I pleased, with the most perfect innocence. And
now--what am I? Are you so blind and wooden that you do not see the
loathing you inspire me with? Is it possible you can suppose me willing
to continue to exist upon such terms? To think," he cried, "that a young
man, guilty of no fault on earth but amiability, should find himself
involved in such a damned imbroglio!" And, placing his knuckles in his
eyes, Somerset rolled upon the sofa.

"My God," said Zero, "is this possible? And I so filled with tenderness
and interest! Can it be, dear Somerset, that you are under the empire of
these outworn scruples? or that you judge a patriot by the morality of
the religious tract? I thought you were a good agnostic."

"Mr. Jones," said Somerset, "it is in vain to argue. I boast myself a
total disbeliever not only in revealed religion, but in the data,
method, and conclusions of