reader, if he has ever plied the fascinating trade of the

noctambulist, will not be unaware that, in the neighbourhood of the

great railway centres, certain early taverns inaugurate the

business of the day. It was into one of these that Challoner,

coming round the corner of the block, beheld his charming companion

disappear. To say he was surprised were inexact, for he had long

since left that sentiment behind him. Acute disgust and

disappointment seized upon his soul; and with silent oaths, he

damned this commonplace enchantress. She had scarce been gone a

second, ere the swing-doors reopened, and she appeared again in

company with a young man of mean and slouching attire. For some

five or six exchanges they conversed together with an animated air;

then the fellow shouldered again into the tap; and the young lady,

with something swifter than a walk, retraced her steps towards

Challoner. He saw her coming, a miracle of grace; her ankle, as

she hurried, flashing from her dress; her movements eloquent of

speed and youth; and though he still entertained some thoughts of

flight, they grew miserably fainter as the distance lessened.

Against mere beauty he was proof: it was her unmistakable

gentility that now robbed him of the courage of his cowardice.

With a proved adventuress he had acted strictly on his right; with

one who, in spite of all, he could not quite deny to be a lady, he

found himself disarmed. At the very corner from whence he had

spied upon her interview, she came upon him, still transfixed, and-

-'Ah!' she cried, with a bright flush of colour. 'Ah!

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