not speak-men seldom do under such circumstances-but his thoughts ran in this fashion: "Here is this cursed woman again! Just as I was congratulating myself on my freedom. How did she discover me? Small use asking that. What shall I do? I can do nothing. It is absurd to run away, for I shall be caught. Besides, I've no money. My account at Mastermann's is overdrawn two thousand pounds. If I bolt at all, I must bolt at once-within twenty-four hours. Rich as I am, I don't suppose I could raise more than five thousand pounds in that time. These things take a day or two, say forty-eight hours. In forty-eight hours I could raise twenty thousand pounds, but forty-eight hours is too long. Curse the I know her! How in the fiend's name did she discover me? It's a bad job.However, she's not inclined to be gratuitously disagreeable. How lucky I never married again! I had better make terms and trust to fortune. After all, she's been a good friend to me.-Poor Sally!-I might have rotted on that infernal Eaglehawk Neck, if it hadn't been for her. She is not a bad sort. Handsome woman, too. I may make it up with her. I shall have to sell off and go away after all. It might be worse.—I dare say the all.—It

woman!

property's worth three hundred thousand pounds. Not bad for a start in America. And I may get rid of her yet. Yes. I must give in. Oh, curse her!-[ringing the bell] Smithers!" [Smithers appears.]

"A tele

graph form and a cab! Stay. Pack me a dressing-bag, I shall have to go away for a day or so. [Sotto voce]-I'd better see her myself.-[Aloud-Bring me a Bradshaw ! [Sotto voce-Damn the woman!"

HOUGH the house of the Commandant of Norfolk Island was

comfortable and well furnished, and though, of necessity, all that was most hideous. in the "discipline" of the place was hidden, the loathing with which Sylvia had approached the last and most dreaded abiding place of the elaborate convict system, under which it had been her misfortune to live had not decreased. The sights and sounds of pain and punishment surrounded her. She could not look out of her windows without a shudder. She dreaded each evening when her husband returned, lest he should blurt out some new atrocity. She feared to ask him in the morn

ing whither he was going, lest he should thrill her with the announcement of some fresh punishment.

"I wish, Maurice, we had never come here,” said she, piteously, when he recounted to her the scene of the gaol-gang. "These unhappy men will do you some frightful injury one of these days.”

Stuff!" said her husband.

the courage.

'They've not I'd take the best man among

them, and dare him to touch me."

“I cannot think how you like to witness so much misery and villainy. It is horrible to me to think of."

"Our tastes differ, my dear.-Jenkins! Confound you! Jenkins, I say." The convict-servant entered. "Where is the chargebook? I've told you always to have it ready for me. Why don't you do as you are told? You idle, lazy scoundrel! I suppose you were yarning in the cook-house, or—--'

"If you please, sir—”

"Don't answer me, sir. Give me the book." Taking it and running his finger down the leaves, he commented on the list of offences to which he would be called upon in the morning to mete out judgment.

"Meer-a-seek, having a pipe-the rascally

Hindoo scoundrel!-Benjamin Pellett, having jat in his possession. Miles Byrne, not walking fast enough-We must enliven Mr. Byrne. Thomas Twist, having a pipe and striking a light. W. Barnes, not in place at muster; says he was washing himself'—I'll wash him! John Richards, missing muster and insolence. John Gateby, insolence and insubordination. James Hopkins, insolence and foul language. Rufus Dawes, gross insolence, refusing to work-Ah! we must look after you. You are a parson's man, are you? I'll break your spirit, my man, or I'll- -Sylvia!" 66 Yes."

"Your friend Dawes is doing credit to his bringing up."

What do you mean ?”

"That infernal villain and reprobate, Dawes. He is fitting himself faster for--' She interrupted him. 'Maurice, I wish you would not use such language. You know I dislike it." She spoke coldly and sadly, as one who knows that remonstrance is vain, and is yet constrained to remonstrate. "Oh, dear! My Lady Proper! can't bear to hear her husband swear. How refined we're getting!"

"There, I did not mean to annoy you,"