if it were one of those watches that do not give up
their secret until you have made a mental calcula-
tion. Once she kissed it. I had always known
that she was fond of her cheap little watch, which
he gave her, I think, on the day I dropped the
letter, but why kiss it in the street? Ah, and why
then replace it so hurriedly in your leather-belt,
Mary, as if it were guilt to you to kiss to-day, or
any day; the watch your husband gave you?

It will be seen that I had made a very rapid
journey from light thoughts to uneasiness. I
wanted no plot by the time she reached her desti-
nation, a street of tawdry shops. She entered none
of them, but paced slowly and shrinking from
observation up and down the street, a very figure
of shame; and never had I thought to read shame
in the sweet face of Mary A------. Had I crossed
to her and pronounced her name I think it would
have felled her, and yet she remained there, wait-
ing. I, too, was waiting for him, wondering if
this was the man, or this, or this, and I believe I
clutched my stick.

Did I suspect Mary? Oh, surely not for a mo-
ment of time. But there was some foolishness here;
she was come without the knowledge of her hus-
band, as her furtive manner indicated, to a meeting
she dreaded and was ashamed to tell him of; she
was come into danger; then it must be to save, not
herself but him; the folly to be concealed could

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