"I feel too painfully, madam, that I am intruding; but I shall soon cease to trouble you. Every one has some great bitterness to pass through at some time or other of his life--and I have this instant passed through mine," replied Gammon, gloomily. "I will not say that _the bitterness of death is past_; but I feel that life has henceforth, as far as I am concerned, nothing worth pursuing."--Miss Aubrey remained silent while he spoke.--"Before we part, Miss Aubrey, and close, as far as I--nay, as far, it may be, as both of us are concerned--a very memorable interview, I have yet one communication to make, to which you will listen with absorbing interest. It will be made to you in such confidence as, having heard it, you may consider yourself at liberty conscientiously to keep from every person upon earth; and I shall leave it to produce such effect upon you as it may." "I shall not disguise from you, sir, that your demeanor and your language alarm me terribly," said Miss Aubrey, peculiarly struck by the sinister expression of his eye--one quite inconsistent with the sad, subdued, gentle tone and manner of his address. "I am not _anxious_ to receive so dark and mysterious a communication as you hint at; and, if you think proper to make it, I shall use my own discretion as to keeping it to myself, or mentioning it to any one whom I may choose--of _that_ I distinctly apprise you, sir. You see that I am agitated; I own it," she added, dropping her voice, and pressing her left hand against her side; "but I am prepared to hear anything you may choose to tell me--that I _ought_ to hear.--Have mercy, sir," she added in a melting voice, "on a woman whose nerves you have already sufficiently shaken!" Gammon gazed at her with a bright and passionate eye that would have drunk her very soul. After a moment's pause--"Madam, it is this," said he, in a very low tone: "I have the means--I declare in the presence of Heaven, and on the word and honor of a man"--[Oh, Gammon! Gammon! Gammon! have you forgotten what occurred between you and your friend Titmouse one short week ago? Strange, infatuated man! what can you mean? What if she should take you at your word?]--"_of restoring to your brother all that he has lost_--THE YATTON PROPERTY, Miss Aubrey--immediately--permanently--without fear of future disturbance--by due process of law--openly and most honorably." "You are trifling with me, sir," gasped Miss Aubrey, faintly, very faintly--her cheek blanched, and her eye riveted upon that of Gammon. "Before God, madam, I speak the truth," replied Gammon, solemnly. Miss Aubrey seemed struggling ineffectually to heave a deep sigh, and pressed both hands upon her left side, over her heart.