“‘I do, indeed, madam; the half-light, the novelty of your costume, and the strangeness of the circumstance altogether must plead for me, if I appear rude enough.’ “‘I am Lady Mary Boyle,’ said she. “‘I do remember you, madam; but may I ask--’ “‘Yes, yes; I know what you would ask. You would say, Why are you here? How comes it that you have so far outstepped the propriety of which your whole life is an example, that alone, at such a time, you appear in the chamber of a man whose character for gallantry--’ “‘Oh, indeed--indeed, my lady, nothing of the kind!’ “‘Ah, alas! poor defenceless women learn, too late, how constantly associated is the retiring modesty which decries, with the pleasing powers which ensure success--’ “Here she sobbed, Billy blushed, and the clock struck nine. “‘May I then beg, madam--’ “‘Yes, yes, you shall hear it all; but my poor scattered faculties will not be the clearer by your hurrying me. You know, perhaps,’ continued she, ‘that my maiden name was Rogers?’ He of the blankets bowed, and she resumed, ‘It is now eighteen years since, that a young, unsuspecting, fond creature, reared in all the care and fondness of doting parents, tempted her first step in life, and trusted her fate to another’s keeping. I am that unhappy person; the other, that monster in human guise that smiled but to betray, that won but to ruin and destroy, is he whom you know as Sir Harry Boyle.’ “Here she sobbed for some minutes, wiped her eyes, and resumed her narrative. Beginning at the period of her marriage, she detailed a number of circumstances in which poor Calvert, in all his anxiety to come _au fond_ at matters, could never perceive bore upon the question in any way; but as she recounted them all with great force and precision, entreating him to bear in mind certain circumstances to which she should recur by and by, his attention was kept on the stretch, and it was only when the clock struck ten that he was fully aware how his morning was passing, and what surmises his absence might originate. “‘May I interrupt you for a moment, dear madam? Was it nine or ten o’clock which struck last?’ “‘How should I know?’ said she, frantically. ‘What are hours and minutes to her who has passed long years of misery?’ “‘Very true, very true,’ replied he, timidly, and rather fearing for the intellect of his fair companion. She continued. The narrative, however, so far from becoming clearer, grew gradually more confused and intricate; and as frequent references were made by the lady to some previous statement, Calvert was more than once rebuked for forgetfulness and inattention, where in reality nothing less than short-hand could have borne him through. “‘Was it in ‘93 I said that Sir Harry left me at Tuam?’ “‘Upon my life, madam, I am afraid to aver; but it strikes me--’ “‘Gracious powers! and this is he whom I fondly trusted to make the depository of my woes! Cruel, cruel man!’