gesture might have sent a thrill through the nerves of many a hardy man),
but which was not without womanly compassion, her countenance gradually
softening more and more, as if under the influence of recollections
mournful but not hostile. At length she said in a low voice, "Poor
Jasper! Is all the vain ambition that made you so false shrunk into a
ferocity that finds you so powerless? Would your existence, after all,
have been harder, poorer, meaner, if your faith had been kept to me?"

Evidently disliking that turn in the conversation, but checking a reply
which might have been rude had no visions of five pounds, ten pounds,
loomed in the distance, Mr. Losely said, "Pshaw! Bella, pshaw! I was a
fool, I dare say, and a sad dog, a very sad dog; but I had always the
greatest regard for you, and always shall! Hillo, what's that? A knock
at the door! Oh, by the by, a queer-looking man, in a white hat, called
at the same time I did, to see you on private business, gave way to me,
said he should come again; may I ask who he is?"

"I cannot guess; no one ever calls here on business except the tax-
gatherer."

The old woman-servant now entered. "A gentleman, ma'am; says his name is
Rugge."

"Rugge,--Rugge; let me think."

"I am here, Mrs. Crane," said the manager, striding in. "You don't,
perhaps, call me to mind by name; but--oho! not gone, sir! Do I intrude
prematurely?"

"No, I have done; good-day, my dear Mrs. Crane."