"Stafford, years ago I did this man a wrong.

I--I have repented; I would have made atonement, reparation; but he put the offer aside.

Here, in this house, he professed to have forgiven and forgotten--professed friendship.

It was a piece of treachery and deceit; under that specious mask, behind that screen, he has worked my ruin!" "Ruin!" said Stafford, in a low voice.

"Surely you exaggerate, father! You mean that you will lose a lot of money--Oh, I can understand that, of course.