“If Julia thinks kindly of me now, she would spurn me as an unclean reptile, if the thought came to her mind.” “Dick, I must be candid: this thought has occurred to me, but only to be rejected and cast out as a suggestion of the devil.” Dr. Bilks winced. “I need not wonder at it, though I did not think it. Now you understand me. I must go.” “No, Dick, you shall not go,” protested Eugene. “I did not intend to speak of anything but business when I came. I will not stand in a false position. I will not be suspected of marrying for money.” “Now you have stepped upon my ground, Dick,” said Eugene, with a smile. “I would not marry for three millions--only for love.” “I know not that Julia would have consented--perhaps it was wrong for me to mention her name. It is all past now.” “Not at all. Nothing would have pleased me so well as such a marriage.” “It cannot be now--at least not till you are married, and John Hungerford is born.” “You are cheating yourself, Dick.” “I will not take a step where my motives can be suspected. I am not free from suspicion, even in your partial eyes.” “You are.” “No--you have suspected me. I have not intended to utter a word to remove your suspicion. We part, Hungerford.” “No, Dick.” “It must be so. I do not blame you. I am still your friend.” “This is cruel.” “More cruel to me than to any one else.” “It is unnecessary.” “Can I stand by you in these intimate relations while I am accused of base and unworthy practices? No, Hungerford. If it be the will of God that I shall be purged of this stain, we shall meet as friends again; if not, never. I will speak a word to Julia as I go. Good night, Hungerford.” “I shall see you to-morrow.” “I am summoned as a witness at the examination of Ross to-morrow. We may meet then.” Dick Birch left the library, and entered the room where the ladies were. He briefly stated that circumstances had occurred which rendered it necessary for him to absent himself from the house. He shook hands with Mrs. Hungerford and with Julia, neither of whom dared to ask him any questions. He betrayed some emotion as he parted with Julia, and she could with difficulty repress the tears that struggled in her eyes. Dick went forth from the mansion he had reared and beautified, like the wanderers from Eden, sad and disturbed. “What do you think now, Dr. Bilks?” demanded Eugene in the library, as the door closed behind the parting friend. “I hardly know what to think,” replied the doctor. “The thought which you suggested to me, you perceive, has already occurred to him.” “That was the worst feature in the interview. I was not entirely satisfied with his appearance or his explanation.” “You were not?” said Eugene, with much surprise.