He ceased abruptly and with passion, making a movement as though to fling her from him,—but she clung to his arm,— clung with all the pertinacity of the loathly insect he had taken from the bosom of the dead Egyptian woman and made a toy of to amuse his leisure! And I, looking on and listening, honoured him for his plain speaking, for his courage in telling this shameless creature what she was in the opinion of an honest man, without glozing over her outrageous conduct for the sake of civility or social observance. My friend, my more than friend! He was true,—he was loyal,—he had neither desire nor intent to betray or dishonour me. My heart swelled with gratitude to him, and also with a curious sense of feeble self pity,—compassionating myself intensely I could have sobbed aloud in nervous
