CHAPTER XXIV.
HOW RYLTON MAKES A MOST DISHONOURABLE BET, AND HOW HE REPENTS OF IT; AND HOW, THOUGH HE WOULD HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM IT, HE FINDS HE CANNOT.
"You have said," says Rylton, when the steps have ceased, "that you would warn me about my wife.

Of what ?" She shrugs her shoulders.
"Ah, you are so violent--you take things so very unpleasantly--that one is quite afraid to speak." "You mean something"-- sternly.

"I apologize to you if I was rough a moment since.

I--it was so sudden--I forgot myself, I think." "To be able to forget is a most excellent thing--at _times,"_ says she, with a curious smile, her eyes hidden.

"If I were you I should cultivate it." "It ?" "The power to forget--_at times!"_ "Speak," says he.