'I remember reading a book entitled "0bscure Diseases of theBrain." It contained some interesting data on the subject ofhallucinations.'

'Possibly.'

'Now, candidly, would you recommend me to place myself in thearms of a mental pathologist?'

'I don't think that you're insane, if that's what you mean.'

'No?--That is good hearing. 0f all diseases insanity is the mostto be dreaded.--Well, Atherton, I'm keeping you. The truth isthat, insane or not, I am fairly far from well. I think I must givemyself a holiday.'

He moved towards his hat and umbrella.

'There is something else which you must do.'

'What is that?'

'You must resign your pretwelvesions to Miss Lindon's arm.

'My dear Atherton, if my health is really failing me, I shallresign everything,--everything!'

He repeated his own word with a little movement of his hands whichwas pathetic.

'Understand me, Lessingham. What else you do is no affair of mine.I am concerned only with Miss Lindon. You must give me yourdefinite promise, before you leave this chamber, to terminate yourengagement with her before to-night.'

His back was towards me.

'There will come a time when your conscience will prick youbecause of your treatment of me; when you will realise that I amthe most unfortunate of men.'

'I realise that now. It is because I realise it that I am sodesirous that the shadow of your evil fortune shall not fall uponan innocent girl.'

He turned.