Never since the moment when we left him sobbing at the table have I set eyes on him, and now, I suppose, in all human probability I never shall.
Later on we returned to Palermo to break the news to Miss Kitwater.
Shocked though she was, she received the tidings with greater calmness than I had expected she would do.

Perhaps, after all, she felt that it was better that it should have ended so.
* * * * * Three years have elapsed since we paid that terrible visit to Palermo.
It may surprise you, or it may not, when I say that I am now a married man, Margaret Kitwater having consented to become my wife two years ago next month.

The only stipulation she made when she gave her decision was that upon my marriage I should retire from the profession in which I had so long been engaged.

As I had done sufficiently well at it to warrant such a step, I consented to do so, and now I lead the life of a country gentleman.

It may interest some people to know that a certain day-dream, once thought so improbable, has come true, inasmuch as a considerable portion of my time is spent in the little conservatory which, as I have said elsewhere, leads out of the drawing-room.