"By Heaven! death should be made easier for us! It is a frightful thing!" A contemptuous pity arose in me.

Was he coward as well as traitor?
I touched him lightly on the arm.
"Excuse me, my young friend, if I say frankly that your dismal conversation is slightly fatiguing.

I cannot accept it as a suitable preparation for dinner! And permit me to remind you that you have still to dress." The gentle satire of my tone made him look up and smile.

His face cleared, and he passed his hand over his forehead, as though he swept it free of some unpleasant thought.
"I believe I am nervous," he said with a half laugh.

"For the last few hours I have had all sorts of uncomfortable presentiments and forebodings." "No wonder!" I returned carelessly, "with such a spectacle as you have described before the eyes of your memory.