ania a potu_.

On returning home, I found that the tidings of my difficulty with
Sefton, and its anticipated consequences, had been communicated to my
wife. She met me in the hall, her eyes flashing, but her manner evincing
more tenderness than I had ever before witnessed in it. 'Is this true,
Mr. Bell,' she asked, 'that public rumor has informed me? Have you had a
quarrel with Mr. Sefton? Have you fought with him?'

'It is true, my dear,' I replied. 'I have just returned from a duel.'

'Are you injured? Tell me,' she exclaimed, passionately.

'Not in the least,' I replied, 'but desperately--hungry.'

'And he?'

'I believe he is quite severely wounded. He was carried from the field
insensible.'

'Thank God,' she exclaimed.

I knew it was on her lips to tell me that I had been drawn into a
conflict by a villain, who had met his just deserts, but I forestalled
all explanations by demanding my breakfast, and after her first emotions
had subsided, merely gave her a matter-of-fact account of our pretended
quarrel, and of the duel.

But I laid up in my heart, as a sweet episode in my desolate life, the
anxiety she had manifested for my safety.

Public conversation and the newspapers were for a time employed on the
duel, but fortunately the truth was not suggested in the remotest
degree.

I provided liberally for Foster, and sent him from the city. Where he
now is I know not. He had informed Evelyn, by a letter, that, his health
having improved, he designed to remove.

I had long since learned Frank's early history, and, through persons to
whose patronage I had commended him and who had visited his studio at
Florence, was well acquainted with all his proceedings. My charity
towards him was producing ample fruits.

A few months after the duel, Evelyn and I were making a tour in Europe.

At a comparatively early hour on the morning after our arrival in
Florence, we proceeded, without previous announcement, to visit Frank's
studio. Being ushered into an antechamber of the rather luxurious range
of apartments, which, as I was aware, he occupied, in company with
several other bachelors, I merely sent him word that a gentleman and
lady had called to see his works, the servant informing us that he was
at breakfast. Of this our own ears received a sufficient evidence, for,
from an adjacent apartment, we heard not only the rattle of table
service in industrious requisition, but conversation and laughter, which
proved