and it was you who put it into his head to propose that fatal stake to me.”

"There you are wrong, Captain Disbrowe,' returned Pillichody in a supplicatory tone. "On my soul you are ! I certainly praised your wife, (as who would not?) but I never advised Parravicin to play for her. That was his own idea entirely."

"The excuse shall not avail you," cried Disbrowe, fiercely. "To you I owe all my misery. Draw and defend yourself.”

"Be not so hasty, Captain,” cried Pillichody, abjectly. "I have injured you sufficiently already. I would not have your blood on my head. On the honour of a soldier, I am sorry for the wrong I have done you, and will strive to repair it."

"Repair it!" shrieked Disbrowe. "It is too late." And, seizing the Major's arm, he dragged him by main force into the alley.

66

Help! help!" roared Pillichody.

you murder me?"

"Would

"I will assuredly cut your throat, if you keep up this clamour," rejoined Disbrowe, snatching the other's long rapier from his side. "Coward!" he added, striking him with the

flat side of the weapon,

"this will teach you

to mix yourself up in such infamous affairs for the future."

And heedless of the Major's entreaties and vociferations, he continued to belabour him, until compelled by fatigue to desist; when the other, contriving to extricate himself, ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. Disbrowe looked after him for a moment, as if uncertain whether to follow, and then hurrying to the house, stationed himself beneath the porch.

"I will stab him as he comes forth," he muttered, drawing his sword, and hiding it beneath his mantle.

Parravicin, meanwhile, having let himself into the house, marched boldly forward, though the passage was buried in darkness, and he was utterly unacquainted with it. Feeling against the wall, he presently discovered a door, and opening it, entered a room lighted by a small silver lamp, placed on a marble slab. The room was empty, but its furniture and arrangements proclaimed it the favourite retreat of the fair mistress of the abode. Parravicin gazed curiously round, as if anxious to gather from what he saw some idea of the

and your household. It will be well to set a chafing-dish in the middle of the room, and scatter some of these perfumes occasionally upon it;" and producing several small packets, he gave them to the grocer. "If you ever smoke a pipe, I would advise you to do so now."

66

"I never do smoke,” replied Bloundel, “and hold it a filthy and mischievous habit, which nothing but necessity should induce me to practise."

"It is advisable now," returned Hodges, "and you should neglect no precaution. Take my word for it, Mr. Bloundel, the plague is only beginning. When the heats of summer arrive, its ravages will be frightful. Heaven only knows what will become of us all!"

"If my poor son is spared, and we escape contagion," returned Bloundel, " I will put into execution a scheme which has occurred to me, and which (under Providence!) will, I trust, secure my family from further hazard.”

4

"Ah, indeed! what is that?" inquired Hodges.

"We must talk of it some other time," returned Bloundel. Good-night, doctor, and

accept my thanks for your attention. To