"Dear little thing!" said Herbert. "She was up and down with Gruffandgrim all the evening. He was perpetually pegging at the floor the moment she left his sight. I doubt if he can hold out long, though. What with rum and pepper,--and pepper and rum,--I should think his pegging must be nearly over."

     "And then you will be married, Herbert?"

     "How can I take care of the dear child otherwise?--Lay your arm out upon the back of the sofa, my dear boy, and I'll sit down here, and get the bandage off so gradually that you shall not know when it comes. I was speaking of Provis. Do you know, Handel, he improves?"

     "I said to you I thought he was softened when I last saw him."

     "So you did. And so he is. He was very communicative last night, and told me more of his life. You remember his breaking off here about some woman that he had had great trouble with.--Did I hurt you?"

     I had started, but not under his touch. His words had given me a start.

     "I had forgotten that, Herbert, but I remember it now you speak of it."