conversation with Donna Aurelia, which proved to me that I am less than
nothing to her, and that you are all the world."

He snorted, scoffing at the thought. "We shall see soon enough," he said
bitterly, "who and what I am."

I continued: "If you think that I have injured YOU--I say nothing of my
lady or of myself--you are horribly deceived. On the contrary, I have
done you a service. You have the proof to your hand that you are the
husband of a pattern among ladies." Here, once more, he looked at the
cupboard, and "Ma!" he said, and shrugged. After this, so long as I
could speak to him, he tapped his foot.

"Punish me," I advised him; "use me as you will; kill me--I shall not
defend myself. I have never yet refused to take the consequences of my
acts. But over my dead body, if you are a true man, you will give thanks
to God for the gift of such a wife as you have."

I was indignant, honestly, and, as I think, rightly so; but again he
misunderstood me.

He got up and threatened me with his great forefinger. "Enough of your
sermons, sir," he said. "Have I lived and taught sucklings all these
years to be told my duty to God Almighty? Will you teach me, forsooth,
for what I am to give thanks, and whom I am to correct or chastise? Wait
you there, young gentleman--wait you there until I know more about you
and my pattern lady." He turned his back upon me, and, wrenching open
the chamber door, called harshly upon Aurelia. Immediately--and no doubt
she had been quaking for the summons--my adored mistress came trembling
out, her hair tumbled about her shoulders, her hands at her neck. Her