A gust threw rain against the windows. Narramore paused, looking
into the fire, and smiling thoughtfully.



CHAPTER XXIII


"You foresee the course of the narrative?"

"Better tell it in detail," muttered Hilliard.

"Why this severe tone? Do you anticipate something that will shock
your moral sense? I didn't think you were so straitlaced."

"Do you mean to say----"

Hilliard was sitting upright; his voice began on a harsh tremor, and
suddenly failed. The other gazed at him in humorous astonishment.

"What the devil do you mean? Even suppose--who made you a judge
and a ruler? This is the most comical start I've known for a long
time. I was going to tell you that I have made up my mind to marry
the girl."

"I see--it's all right----"

"But do you really mean," said Narramore, "that anything else would
have aroused your moral indignation?"