The rain beating against the windows and the fire sparkling on the hearth seemed to lend a charm to their peculiar isolation, and it was not until Mrs.Scott rose with a warning that they were trespassing upon the rest of their patient that they discovered that the evening had slipped by unnoticed.

When the door at last closed on the bright, sympathetic eyes of the two young women and the motherly benediction of the elder, Falkner walked to the window, and remained silent, looking into the darkness.

Suddenly he turned bitterly to his companion.
"This is just h-ll, George." George Lee, with a smile on his boyish face, lazily moved his head.
"I don't know! If it wasn't for the old woman, who is the one solid chunk of absolute goodness here, expecting nothing, wanting nothing, it would be good fun enough! These two women, cooped up in this house, wanted excitement.

They've got it! That man Hale wanted to show off by going for us; he's had his chance, and will have it again before I've done with him.

That d--d fool of a messenger wanted to go out of his way to exchange shots with me; I reckon he's the most satisfied of the lot! I don't know why YOU should growl.