There was such desolation in his manner that Salis crossed to him and laid his hand upon his shoulder, when, to his horror, the poor fellow uttered a wild shriek, and started up to dash to the other side of the room. "Oh, it was you," said North huskily, as he gazed wildly at his friend, his piteous eyes seeming to ask what he thought of his acts. "Why, North, old fellow, what is the matter? You can trust me." "Matter?" cried North excitedly--"matter? No, no, nothing is the matter. A little out of order. Don't take any notice of what I say." "But I must take notice. Do you suppose I can see my oldest and best friend go on in this mad way?" "No, no; don't say that," cried North, catching him fiercely by the wrist; "not `mad way.' A little eccentric: that's all. Don't take any notice." "But--" "No, no; don't take any notice. Yes, I was upset about her. It was a shock." "I knew it was that," cried Salis; "but, North, my dear fellow, you must master it: we are old friends. I will keep nothing from you. Let us be mutually helpful. Is it nothing to us to have such a horror as this in our midst?" "It is terrible for you," said North quietly. "The foolish girl!" "Hah!" ejaculated Salis, beaming upon him; "that sounds like you." "I bear her no malice," continued North dreamily. "It has all been one bitter mistake." "Yes, a bitter, bitter mistake!" assented Salis. "But it is over now. It was in her delirium that she told me she loved me." "Leo told you this?" "Yes. I ought to have known better. But I am only a weak man, Salis. It is over now." "It is for the best, my dear old fellow," cried Salis warmly. "There, you are yourself again. Now tell me. What had she taken?" "Some strong narcotic poison. I fancy it was belladonna. Did she use it for her eyes?" "No. I think not. No," said Salis thoughtfully. "Nature had not made it necessary for her to try and improve her looks." "No," said North thoughtfully. "Had you quarrelled?" Salis stood with his brows knit for a few moments, and then he turned sharply upon North. "Tell me first," he said, "you surprised my sister with that scoundrel, Candlish?" North shuddered as he bowed his head. "And I am right in thinking it was you who half killed him?" "Yes," said North; "it was I." "I don't wonder at it," said Salis quietly. "Now I'll answer your question. Mary and I hoped we had broken all that affair off between my sister and Candlish; but last night I made a discovery, and we did quarrel." "And the weak, foolish girl flew to that narcotic poison to end her trouble," said North thoughtfully. "Ah, well, you must watch her now. There is no danger. It is past." "Thanks to you!" "Thanks to me? Perhaps so; but don't send for me again unless it is a case of emergency. There, I must go now." He rose painfully, looking wild and haggard; but the next moment his whole appearance changed, and he gave his friend a tremendous back-handed blow in the chest.