"Never fear--I will take care of myself."

     "Is the danger you apprehended last night gone by now, sir?"

     "I cannot vouch for that till Mason is out of England: nor even then. To live, for me, Jane, is to stand on a crater-crust which may crack and spue fire any day."

     "But Mr. Mason seems a man easily led. Your influence, sir, is evidently potent with him: he will never set you at defiance or wilfully injure you."

     "Oh, no! Mason will not defy me; nor, knowing it, will he hurt me--but, unintentionally, he might in a moment, by one careless word, deprive me, if not of life, yet for ever of happiness."

     "Tell him to be cautious, sir: let him know what you fear, and show him how to avert the danger."

     He laughed sardonically, hastily took my hand, and as hastily threw it from him.