"I neither know nor care." "Don't go out to-night, I expect somebody." "Who, in the name of wonder?" "Mrs. Arnot." "I could as easily face an angel of light now as Mrs. Arnot," he replied, pausing on the threshold; for even in his reckless mood the old man's wistful face had power to restrain. "You are mistaken, Egbert," said a gentle voice behind him. "You can face me much more easily than an angel of light. I am human like yourself, and your friend." She had approached the open door through the dusk of the mild autumn evening, and had heard his words. He trembled at her voice, but ventured no reply. "I have come to see you, Egbert; you will not leave me." "Mrs. Arnot," he said passionately, "I am not worth the trouble you take in my behalf, and I might as well tell you at once that it is in vain." "I do not regard what I do for you as 'trouble,' and I know it is not in vain," she replied, with calm, clear emphasis. Her manner quieted him somewhat; but after a moment he said: "You do not know what has happened to-day, nor how I have been feeling for many days past." "Your manner indicates how you feel; and you may tell me what has happened if you wish. If you prefer that we should be alone, come with me to my carriage, and in the quiet of my private parlor you can tell me all." "No," said Haldane gloomily; "I am not fit to enter your house, and for other reasons would rather not do so. I have no better friend than Mr. Growther, and he already knows it all. I may as well tell you here; that is, if you are willing to stay." "I came to stay," said Mrs. Arnot quietly; and sitting down, she turned a grave and expectant face toward him. "I cannot find words in which to tell you my shame, and the utterness of my defeat." "Yes, you can, Egbert. I believe that you have always told me the truth about yourself." "I have, and I will again," he said desperately; "and yet it seems like profanation to describe such a scene to you." But he did describe it, briefly and graphically, nevertheless. As he spoke of his last fierce blow, which vanquished his opponent, Mr. Growther muttered: "Sarved him right; can't help feelin' glad you hit 'im so hard; but then that's in keepin' with the cussedness of my natur'." A glimmer of a smile hovered around Mrs. Arnot's flexible mouth, but she only asked quietly: "Is that all?" "I should think that was enough, after all that I had felt and professed." "I fear I shall shock you, Egbert, but I am not very much surprised at your course. Indeed I think it was quite natural, in view of the circumstances. Perhaps my nature is akin to Mr. Growther's, for I am rather glad that fellow was punished; and I think it was very natural for you to punish him as you did. So far from despairing of you, I am the more hopeful of you." "Mrs. Arnot!" exclaimed the youth in undisguised astonishment