In the evening, as it began to grown dark, the two men as usual went out together. It means almost more than a deadly quarrel, and the substitution of hate for love or liking, to break a habit even of recent date; and Robert had hated Lew, and longed to be delivered from him, a dozen times at least, “without anything following. They went out very silent at first, very watchful, not missing a single living creature that went past them, though these were not many. They had both the highly educated eyes of men who knew what it was to be hunted, and were quick to discover every trace of a pursuer or an enemy. But the innocent country road was innocent as ever, with very few passengers, and not one of them likely to awaken alarm in the most nervous bosom. The silence between them, however, continued so long, and it was so difficult to make Robbie say anything, that his companion began at last to ask questions, already half answered in previous conversations, about the visitor who had recognised him. ‘Somebody who has not been very long here--a stranger (like myself), but likely to form permanent relations in the place (_not_ like me there, alas!),” said Lew. “Not to put too fine a point upon it, she’s going to marry the minister. That’s so, ain’t it?” Lew said. “That’s what it is, so far as I know.” “Look here,” he went on, “there’s several things in that to take away its importance. In the first place, it could not be in the first society of Colorado--the _crême de la crême_, you know--that she’d meet me.” To this Robert assented merely with a sort of groan. “From which it follows, that if she is setting up here in the odour of sanctity, it’s not for her interests to make a fuss about my acquaintance.” “She might give you up, to get rid of you,” Robert said, curtly. “Come now,” said his companion; “human nature’s bad enough, but hanged if it’s so bad as that.” “Oh, I thought you were of opinion that nothing was too bad----” “Hold hard!” said Lew. “If you mean to carry on any longer like a bear with a sore head, I propose we go home.” “It’s as you like,” Robert said. “Bob,” said the other, “mutual danger draws fellows together: it’s drawn you and me together scores of times. We’re lost, or at all events I’m lost, if it turns out different now.” “Do you think I’m going to give you up?” said Rob, almost with a sneer. “No, I don’t,” said Lew, calmly. “You haven’t the spirit. Your mammy would do it like a shot, if it wasn’t for--other things.” “What other things?” cried Rob, fiercely. “Well, because she’s got a heart--rather bigger than her spirit, and that’s saying a great deal: and because she believes like an Arab--and that’s saying a great deal too--in her bread and salt.” “Look here!” cried Rob, looking about him for a reason, “I don’t mean to stand any longer the way you speak of my mother. Whatever she is, she is my mother, and I’ll not listen to any gibes on that subject--least of all from you.”