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glittered upon the silver, the decanters and glasses of a supper

table

"Yes," I was saying, slowly and heavily; "yes, I aaolers on the Tonbridge

Road--but I am innocent--before God--I am innocent And now--do

with me as you will--for I am--very weary--"

Sir Richard's arm was about reat way off: "Sirs," said he, "this is my friend--Sir Peter Vibart" There

was a moment's pause, then--a chair fell with a crash, and there

rose a confusion of excited voices which grew suddenly silent,

for the door had opened, and on the threshold stood a woman, tall

and proud and richly dressed, from the little dusty boot that

peeped beneath her habit to the wide-sweeping hat-brih beauty of her face And I would have gone to her

but that th failed , uttered a cry, and ran to me

"Charmian," said I; "oh, Charmian!" And so, with her tender arms

about me, and her kisses on my lips, the mist settled down upon

me, thicker and darker than ever