He was after summat big in experiment for explosives, so the papers said, and so he said himself before he died, to Miss Claridge--ay, 'twas her he deceived and treated cruel, that come to him when he was shattered by his experimenting.

No patience, he had at last--and reckless in his chemical place, and didn't realise what his hands was doing.

'Twas so he told her, that forgave him all his deceit, and held him in her arms when he died.

Not many words he had to speak; but he did say that he had never done any good to any one--ay, I was standing near behind his bed and heard all, for I was thinking of her alone with him, and so I would be with her, and she would have it so.

Ay, and he said that he had misused cruel her that had loved him, her ladyship, that's here.