I had a strange cowardly inclination to fling myself upon this ancient
survival and squeeze his throat until it closed like a pursel. And my
inclination was so strong that I stood like a stone.

The valet opened the door. "If it please your Lordship--Lady Mary," he
announced, and stood aside to let a lady pass. The Earl seemed
immediately to forget my presence. He began at once to make himself
uncomfortable in his bed. Then he cried fretfully: "Come, Mary, what
caused you to be so long? Make me easy! Ruffle my pillows! Come,
daughter."

"Yes, father," answered a soothing and sweet voice. A gracious figure
passed before me and bended over the bed of the Earl. I was near
blinded. It was not a natural blindness. It was an artificial
blindness which came from my emotion. Was she tall? I don't know. Was
she short? I don't know. But I am certain that she was exactly of the
right size. She was, in all ways, perfection. She was of such glory,
she was so splendid, that my heart ceased to beat. I remained standing
like a stone, but my sword scabbard, reminiscent of some movement,
flapped gently against my leg. I thought it was a horrible sound. I
sought to stay it, but it continued to tinkle, and I remember that,
standing there in the room with the old Earl and my love-'til-death, I
thought most of my scabbard and its inability to lay quiet at my
thigh.

She smoothed his bed and coaxed him and comforted him. Never had I
seen such tenderness. It was like a vision of a classic hereafter. In
a second I would have exchanged my youth for the position of this
doddering old nobleman who spat blood into a napkin.

Suddenly the Earl wheeled his eyes and saw me.

"Ha, Mary!" he cried feebly, "I wish to point out a rogue. There he
stands! The O'Ruddy! An Irishman and a fine robber! Mark him well, and
keep stern watch of your jewels."

The beautiful young lady turned upon me an affrighted glance. And I
stood like a stone.

"Aye," said the old wretch, "keep stern watch of your jewels. He is a
very demon for skill. He could take a ring from your finger while you
were thinking he was fluttering his hands in the air."

I bowed gallantly to the young lady. "Your rings are safe, my lady. I
would ill requite the kindness shown by your father to the son of an
old friend if I deprived your white fingers of a single ornament."

"Clever as ever, clever as ever," chuckled the wicked old man.

The young lady flushed and looked first at me a