carry out the action she begun four years ago and go through the form of ridding herself of him definitely; that is, I thought there was some hope for me; I believed there was until this morning.  But I know better now.  If she’s seen him again, and he’s been anything except literally unbearable, it’s all over with me.  From the first, I never had a chance against him; he was a hard rival, even when he’d become only a cruel memory.”  His voice rose.  “I’ve lived a sober, decent life, and I’ve treated her with gentleness and reverence since she was born, and he’s done nothing but make a stew-pan of his life and neglect and betray her when he had her.  Heaven knows why it is; it isn’t because of anything he’s done or has, it’s just because it’s him, I suppose, but I know my chance is gone for good!  That leaves me free to act for her; no one can accuse me of doing it for myself.  And I swear she sha’n’t go through that slough of despond again while I have breath in my body!”

“Steady, George!” I said.

“Oh, I’m steady enough,” he cried.  “Professor Keredec shall be convinced of it!  My cousin is not going into the mire again; she shall be freed of it for ever:  I speak as her relative now, the representative of her family and of those who care for her happiness and good.  Now she shall make the separation definite—­and legal!  And let Professor Keredec get his ‘poor boy’ out of the country.  Let him do it quickly!  I make it as a condition of my not informing the woman yonder and her lawyer.  And by my hope of salvation I warn you—­”

“George, for pity’s sake!” I shouted, throwing my arm about his shoulders, for his voice had risen to a pitch of excitement and fury that I feared must bring the whole place upon us.  He caught himself up suddenly, stared at me blankly for a moment, then sank into a chair with a groan.  As he did so I became aware of a sound that had been worrying my subconsciousness for an indefinite length of time, and realised what it was.  Some one was knocking for admission.

I crossed the room and opened the door.  Miss Elizabeth stood there, red-faced and flustered, and behind her stood Mr. Cresson Ingle, who looked dubiously amused.

“Ah—­come in,” I said awkwardly.  “George is here.  Let me present Professor Keredec—­”

“‘George is here!’” echoed Miss Elizabeth, interrupting, and paying no attention whatever to an agitated bow on the part of the professor.  “I should say he was!  They probably know that all the way to Trouville!”

“We were discussing—­” I began.

“Ah, I know what you were discussing,” she said impatiently.  “Come in, Cresson.”  She turned to Mr. Ingle, who was obviously reluctant.  “It is a family matter, and you’ll have to go through with it now.”

“That reminds me,” I said.  “May I offer—­”

“Not now!” Miss Elizabeth cut short a rather embarrassed handshake which her betrothed and I were exchanging.  “I’m in a very nervous and distressed state of mind, as I suppose we all are, for that matter.  This morning I learned the true situation over here; and I’m afraid Louise has heard; at least she’s not at Quesnay.  I got into a panic for fear she had come here, but thank heaven she does not seem to—­Good gracious!  What’s that?”