"I think we have met before," said he at last, in a cold, contemptuous tone, not unmingled with surprise, "have we not ?" Clarence endeavoured to answer, but could not; he was, for a moment, incapable of speech; a slight gurgling noise was heard in his throat, as he bowed affirmatively.
"We were neighbours at one time, I think," added George Stevens.
"We were," faintly ejaculated Clarence.
"It is a great surprise to me to meet _you_ here," pursued George Stevens.
"The surprise is mutual, I assure you, sir," rejoined Clarence, coldly, and with slightly agitated manner.
Hereupon ensued an embarrassing pause in the conversation, during which the ladies could not avoid observing the livid hue of Clarence's face.

There was a perfect tumult raging in his breast; he knew that now his long-treasured secret would be brought out; this was to be the end of his struggle to preserve it--to be exposed at last, when on the brink of consummating his happiness.

As he sat there, looking at George Stevens, he became a murderer in his heart; and if an invisible dagger could have been placed in his hands, he would have driven it to the hilt in his breast, and stilled for ever the tongue that was destined to betray him.
But it was too late; one glance at the contemptuous, malignant face of the son of his father's murderer, told him his fate was sealed--that it was now too late to avert exposure.

He grew faint, dizzy, ill,--and rising, declared hurriedly he must go, staggered towards the door, and fell upon the carpet, with a slight stream of blood spirting from his mouth.
Little Birdie screamed, and ran to raise him; George Stevens and Miss Ellstowe gave their assistance, and by their united efforts he was placed upon the sofa.

Little Birdie wiped the bloody foam from his mouth with her tiny lace handkerchief, bathed his head, and held cold water to his lips; but consciousness was long returning, and they thought he was dying.
Poor torn heart! pity it was thy beatings were not stilled then for ever.
It was not thy fate; long, long months of grief and despair were yet to come before the end approached and day again broke upon thee.
Just at this crisis Mr.Bates came in, and was greatly shocked and alarmed by Clarence's deathly appearance.