to rob her, still she did not care about becoming his murderess, and
the thought was madness to her. Not that she was afraid of
punishment, for she had only acted in self-defence, and Villiers,
not she, was the aggressor.

Meanwhile she waited to hear if the body had been found, for ill
news travels fast; and as everyone knew Villiers was her husband,
she was satisfied that when the corpse was found she would be the
first to be told about it.

But the day wore on, and no news came, so she asked Archie to go
into Ballarar and see if the discovery had been made.

''Deed, mem,' said Archie, in a consoling tone, 'I'm thinkin' there's
na word at all. Maybe ye only stapped his pranks for a wee bit, and
he's a' richt.'

Madame shook her head.

'I gave him such a terrible blow,' she said, mournfully, 'and he
fell like a stone over the embankment.'

'He didna leave go the nugget, onyhow, ye ken,' said Archie, dryly;
'so he couldna hae been verra far gone, but I'll gang intil the toun
and see what I can hear.'

There was no need for this, however, for just as McIntosh got to the
door, Vandeloup, cool and complacent, sauntered in, but stopped
short at the sight of Mrs Villiers sitting in the arm-chair looking
so ill.