“Nice night, ain't it? Nice breeze coming up to kiss the leaves and make 'em cry! Hark at 'em, tree after tree. There goes this she-oak over our heads! Nice and cool on your face, too, isn't it? Nice wholesome smell of eucalyptus—and all the rest of it. Oh, a sweet night altogether, and one to remember—for your last night out o' prison!” “You brute!” said Missy, and worse. He listened patiently, nodding his head at each name. And then— “All that? Not so fast, my dear, not half so fast, if you please. You're in far too much of a hurry, I do assure you. All that's supposing I do give you away.” The man's tone was changed. “But you're going to.” “No,” replied Stanborough, “not if you'll clear right out to-night. Do that and I won't say a word to a soul; not even at the farm will I give you away, once you're gone. It'll just be a case of your going as mysteriously as you came; and they may never find out the truth about you; but even if they do, you'll be far enough before they do. Only clear out to-night!” “And leave 'Bella to you? I'll see you in blazes——-” “And yourself in quod———” “I don't care; you're not going to ruin Arabella.” “What if you're too late to prevent it?” “If I was, you wouldn't be here to-night. You see I know you, too.” There was a pause. “Do you know what I've half a mind to do?” Stanborough said at length in an exceedingly calm voice. “Yes; to kill me. But you haven't half the pluck—not you! I know you of old.” “All right, we shall see. I give you the rest of this night to clear out in. If you don't, you may lose me my game; but you may bet your soul, Ada Lefroy, I'll have you locked up before you're a day older.” He shook his fist in her face and went away very abruptly; but in a minute he was back, all eagerness and soft persuasion. “I have nothing against you, Ada,” he began now. “You and I have had fun together. And after all, what have I to gain by getting you locked up? What is it to me if you hoodwink these old people and run your own risk? Why should I want you to clear out to-night? See here, my girl, I don't want you to do anything of the kind. You sit tight as long as you think you can; only go back now, like a sensible sort, and get 'Bella to come along with me, like another.” “I can't.” “You could. It was you who persuaded her not to come. I know it was; so don't tell me you couldn't persuade her that I am all right, and to keep her word with me after all.” “Then I won't say I couldn't I'll say I never will.” “And you mean that?” “Of course I mean it.” “Well knowing that I shall come and expose you to-morrow, or the next day, or the day after that? By God, it'd be sport to keep you waiting!” “Then have your sport. Have it! I will never leave 'Bella, that's one thing sure.” “You'd go to prison for her?” “I'd do anything for any of them.” “Then go to hell for them!”