"That is an idea--I hadn't thought of it," said Cameron. He had seen the meeting on the piazza and had followed Lorraine down for the purpose of being with him--after a little. He was Lorraine's particular friend, and he knew that presently it would be well for the other to have some one to talk to. Lorraine relapsed into moody silence. Cameron smoked and rattled ahead, without pausing for answers nor seeming to note their absence. Occasionally Lorraine stirred himself to throw out a reply, only to fall again, after a moment, into silence. Cameron talked on--with never a word however which could imply that he was waiting for his friend to unburden himself. He was aware that Lorraine must break out to some one--the longer he waited the surer it was, and the less likely that he would choose his confidant. He would go off like a delayed explosion--say things that later he would give much to unsay, and which would be much better unsaid. But the unsaying being impossible, it was best that he should say them to him--who would forget them. It is not many friends who will voluntarily consent to act as safety valves for the overflow of another's feelings--and then not tell. And Cameron's patience and consideration were at last rewarded. Lorraine shook himself--as though to get rid of his thoughts--and sat up. "Cameron," he said, "what shall I do? Stephanie is back--she was here in the Club--just now. I met her on the front piazza--before them all!" "I know," said Cameron, "I saw it." Lorraine regarded him thoughtfully. "And you followed me here so as to--it was mighty good of you, Steuart." Cameron smiled sympathetically. "What do you think you want to do?" said he. Lorraine made a despairing gesture. "I don't know--except that I shall never take her back," he replied. "Um--what else is there to decide?" Cameron asked. "Whether I also shan't kill Amherst!" exclaimed Lorraine. Cameron shook his head. "It is too late now!" "Too late for what?" "To kill him." "Why?" "If you've cast off Stephanie, you've let him out." "_What?_" Lorraine demanded. "_I've let him out?_" "To my mind, yes. If another man goes off with my wife, I'm not justified in killing him unless I'm ready to take my wife back. If she is worthless it is folly to kill because of her. The killing is for her honor--for having led her astray." "And is my honor not to be considered?" asked Lorraine vehemently. "How has your honor been affected?" returned Cameron gently. "My God!--how hasn't it been affected! Didn't he run away with my wife?" "He ran away with something that you say you don't want," Cameron pursued. "That is why I don't want her--because she betrayed me." "Because she betrayed you may be valid ground for you to kill _her_--it certainly isn't ground for killing _him_." "Amherst is the man in the case, isn't he?"