as you still seemed stunned, I brought you up-stairs. I
didn't mean to stay, but I couldn't get you to say a single coherent
word. I was afraid to leave you alone!"

"I suppose I was drunk," he said, in a dull tone. "I remember filling my
glass over and over again. There is one thing, though," he added, his
voice gaining a sudden strength; "I was not drunk when I struck the
prince! I remember those few seconds very distinctly. I saw everything,
knew everything, felt everything. If no one had interfered, I think I
should have killed him!"

"You were not drunk at all," she declared, with a little shiver, "but
you were in a state of terrible excitement. It was a long time before I
could get you to lie down, and then you wouldn't close your eyes until I
came and sat by your side. I watched you go to sleep. I hope you are not
angry with me! I didn't like to go and leave you."

"How could I be angry?" he protested. "You are far kinder to me than I
deserve. I expect I should have been in a police cell but for you!"

"And now," she begged, coming over to him and speaking in a more
matter-of-fact tone, "do let us be practical. I must run away, and you
must go and have a bath and change your clothes. Don't be afraid of
your reputation. I can get out by the other entrance."

He made no movement. She laid her hand on his arm. In the sunlight, with
a little patch of rouge still left on her cheek, with her disordered
hair and tired eyes, she looked almost ghastly.

"Remember," she whispered, "you have to go to see Louise!"

He covered his face with his hands.

"What's the use of it?" he groaned. "It's only another turn of the
screw!"

"Don't be foolish, John," she admonished briskly. "You don't actually
know anything yet--nothing at all; at least, you are not sure of
anything. And besides, you strange, impossible person," she went on,
patting his hand, "don't you see that you must judge her, not by the
standards of your world, in which she has never lived, but by the
standards of her world, in which she was born and bred? That is only
fair, isn't it?"

He made no answer. She watched him anxiously, but there was no sign in
his face.

"Pull yourself together, John," she continued. "Ring for some tea, get
your bath, and then have it out with Louise. Remember, life is a very
big thing. You are dealing this morning with all it may mean to you."

He rose listlessly to his feet. There was a strange, dull look in his
face.