"Mr Linnell, ma'am? Oh, yes, it's quite true," Annie was whispering, and the name sent a thrill through Cora. "But he lives downstairs, girl, and we should have known." "Oh, yes, ma'am, I learn by heart--aunty makes me--where all the fashionable people live. I know Mr Linnell--two Mr Linnells--live downstairs. It's in our visitor's list, along with you, and Colonel Mellersh, and it's quite true." What was quite true about Richard Linnell? If it was about Claire Denville, she would tear him from her; she would crush her. How dare she presume to think of her idol--the true, brave fellow who had dashed into the sea and saved her when she was drowning? Poor Fisherman Dick, like many more, not being young and handsome, was forgotten after that ten-pound note. Cora's eyes flashed, her cheeks burned, and she looked as beautiful as an artist's idea of Juno, listening now with all the concentration of her passionate nature. "I oughtn't to talk about it, ma'am, and I wouldn't tell anyone but you," Annie went on. "They said he fell over the cliff this morning and cut his head." Cora Dean saw blood upon a white forehead, and she clutched the back of a chair, for the room seemed to be turning, and she felt sick. "But he didn't, ma'am." "Isn't he hurt, then?" "Yes, ma'am, badly. I wonder you didn't know. You see, he met Major Rockley--you know him, ma'am?--handsome dark gentleman with mustachios." "Yes, yes, I know," said Mrs Dean, revelling in the bit of gossip. "Have some more cake." "Thank you, ma'am. Major Rockley was out walking with Miss Claire Denville out on the Downs--" Cora's faintness passed away, and the room ceased to glide round as her eyes brightened, and she felt as if she could have embraced that handsome _roue_, who always, bowed to her with such a look of insolent contempt. "And then Mr Linnell came up and took Major Rockley's whip away and beat him." Cora's cheeks burned with jealous rage now. How dare Richard Linnell do that? And yet she liked him for it. He was so brave. But for Claire Denville! Her eyes flashed again. "Then they met this morning, ma'am, down on the sands, and fought a real duel, and Major Rockley shot Mr Linnell." "It is not true!" cried Cora excitedly, and once more the room began to turn. "Yes, ma'am, it's quite true," said Annie, with her mouth now full of cake. Shot!--injured by Major Rockley! and she--she could not go down to him to wait upon him, and show him by her every act how she loved him. A minute before she had been ready to bless Major Rockley. Now, curses were in her heart, as she thought of him raising his hand against Richard Linnell to strike him down. "No, ma'am, he isn't very bad," Annie went on, in answer to a question of Mrs Dean.