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This letter duly reached Paul Montague at his lodgings He started iton He had now no desire to delay the entleness towards her, his going to the play with her, and drinking tea with her at Mrs Pipkin's, and his journey with her to the sea, were not to be taken as evidence that he was gradually being conquered He had declared his purpose plainly enough at Lowestoft,--and plainly enough in his last letter She had told him, down at the hotel, that had she by chance have been armed at the moment, she would have shot him She could arm herself now if she pleased;--but his real fear had not lain in that direction The pang consisted in having to assure her that he was resolved to do her wrong The worst of that was now over

The door was opened for hireeted hi after the night of her i had occurred to alleviate her woe At this very moment her lover should have been in Liverpool, but he was, in fact, abed in Welbeck Street 'Yes, sir; she's at home,' said Ruby, with a baby in her ar on to her dress 'Don't pull so, Sally Please, sir, is Sir Felix still in London?' Ruby had written to Sir Felix the very night of her imprisonment, but had not as yet received any reply Paul, whose ether intent on his own troubles, declared that at present he knew nothing about Sir Felix, and was then shown into Mrs Hurtle's roo from her chair

'Of course I came, when you desired it'

'I don't knohy you should My wishes do not seem to affect youto a seat at some distance from herself 'So you think it would be best that you and I should never see each other again?' She was very calm; but it seemed to him that the quietness was assuht be converted into violence He thought that there was that in her eye which see of the wild-cat

'I did think so certainly What ' Her voice was very low 'Why should a gentleed his s as a wo come, in consequence of my unreasonable request, of course you are wise to hold your peace'