him of listening to our conversation. Of course he denies it; but it
really doesn't matter, as I'm sorry to say he's much too 'fresh' (as
they call it down here) to remember anything to-morrow morning. I
let him have it, I can tell you. Varlet! Caitiff! But if you bolt
off on the head of it, I shall go back and sack him into the bargain!"

I assured him I had my own reasons for wishing to retire early. He
could have no conception of my weakness, my low and nervous condition
of body and mind; much as I had enjoyed myself, he must really let
me go. Another glass of wine, then? Just one more? No, I had drunk
too much already. I was in no state to stand it. And I held out my
hand with decision.

Instead of taking it he looked at me very hard.

"The place doesn't suit you," said he. "I see it doesn't, and I'm
devilish sorry! Take my advice and try something milder; now do,
to-morrow; for I should never forgive myself if it made you worse
instead of better; and the air is too strong for lots of people."

I was neither too ill nor too vexed to laugh outright in his face.

"It's not the air," said I; "it's that splendid old Madeira of yours,
that was too strong for me, if you like! No, no, Rattray, you don't
get rid of me so cheaply-much as you seem to want to!"

"I was only thinking of you," he rejoined, with a touch of pique
that convinced me of his sincerity. "Of course I want you to stop,
though I shan't be here many days; but I feel responsible for you,
Cole, and that's the fact. Think you can find your way?" he