Ungenerous!'

The sharpness of the attack somewhat restored the Squire of Dames

to the possession of himself.

'Madam,' he returned, with a fair show of stoutness, 'I do not

think that hitherto you can complain of any lack of generosity; I

have suffered myself to be led over a considerable portion of the

metropolis; and if I now request you to discharge me of my office

of protector, you have friends at hand who will be glad of the

succession.'

She stood a moment dumb.

'It is well,' she said. 'Go! go, and may God help me! You have

seen me--me, an innocent girl! fleeing from a dire catastrophe and

haunted by sinister men; and neither pity, curiosity, nor honour

move you to await my explanation or to help in my distress. Go!'

she repeated. 'I am lost indeed.' And with a passionate gesture

she turned and fled along the street.

Challoner observed her retreat and disappear, an almost intolerable

sense of guilt contending with the profound sense that he was being

gulled. She was no sooner gone than the first of these feelings

took the upper hand; he felt, if he had done her less than justice,

that his conduct was a perfect model of the ungracious; the

cultured tone of her voice, her choice of language, and the elegant

decorum of her movements, cried out aloud against a harsh

construction; and between penitence and curiosity he began slowly

to follow in her wake. At the corner he had her once more full in

view. Her speed was failing like a stricken bird's. Even as he

looked, she threw her arm out gropingly, and fell and leaned

against the wall. At the spectacle, Challoner's fortitude gave

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