Now it was all over,--and he knew the man who had supplanted him! How he hated him! With what an unchristian spirit did he regard that worthy captain as he walked across St.James's Square, across Jermyn Street, across Piccadilly, and up Bond Street, not knowing whither he was going.

He thought with an intense regret of the laws of modern society which forbid duelling,--forgetting altogether that even had the old law prevailed, the conduct of the man whom he so hated would have afforded him no _casus belli_.

But he was too far gone in misery and animosity to be capable of any reason on the matter.

Captain Aylmer had interfered with his dearest wishes, and during this now passing hour he would willingly have crucified Captain Aylmer had it been within his power to do so.

Till he had gone beyond Oxford Street, and had wandered away into the far distance of Portman Square and Baker Street, he had not begun to think of any interest which Clara Amedroz might have in the matter on which his thoughts were employed.