sitting in Dalrymple's arm-chair. He found
Siph Dunn there, smoking in unperturbed tranquillity, and as long as
that lasted he could ask no questions about Mrs. Broughton. He told
them, therefore, of his adventures abroad, and of Crawley's escape.
But at last, having finished his third pipe, Siph Dunn took his
leave.

"Tell me," said John, as soon as Dunn had closed the door, "what is
this I hear about Dobbs Broughton?"

"He has blown his brains out. That is all."

"How terribly shocking!"

"Yes; it shocked us all at first. We are used to it now."

"And the business?"

"That has gone to the dogs. They say at least that his share of it
had done so."

"And he was ruined?"

"They say so. That is, Musselboro says so, and Mrs. Van Siever."

"And what do you say, Conway?"

"The less I say the better. I have my hopes,--only you're such a
talkative fellow, one can't trust you."

"I never told any secret of yours, old fellow."

"Well;--the fact is, I have an idea that something may be saved for
the poor woman. I think that they are wronging her. Of course all
I can do is to put the matter into a lawyer's hands, and pay the
lawyer's bills. So I went to your cousin, and he has taken the case
up. I hope he won't ruin me."

"Then I suppose you are quarrelling with Mrs. Van?"

"That doesn't matter. She has quarrelled with me."

"And what about Jael, Conway? They tell me that Jael is going to
become Mrs. Musselboro."

"Who has told you that?"

"A bird."

"Yes; I know who the bird is. I don't think that Jael will become
Mrs. Musselboro. I don't think that Jael would become Mrs. Musselboro,
if Jael were the only woman, and Musselboro the only man in London.
To tell you a little bit of secret, Johnny, I think that Jael will
become the wife of one Conway Dalrymple. That is my opinion; and as
far as I can judge, it is the opinion of Jael also."

"But not the opinion of Mrs. Van. The bird told me another thing,
Conway."

"What was the other thing?"

"The bird hinted that all this would end in your marrying the widow
of that poor wretch who destroyed himself."

"Johnny, my boy," said the artist, after a moment's silence, "if I
give you a bit of advice, will you profit by it?"

"I'll try, if it's not disagreeable."

"Whether you profit by it, or whether you do not, keep it to
yourself. I know the bird better than you do, and I strongly caution
you to beware of the bird. The bird is a bird of prey, and altoget