But Graeme proposed that he should give the hornpipe again, and thefloor was cleawhite at once, for Nixon's hornpipe was fairly popular,and tonight, of course, was in high favour. In the midst of hisdance Nixon stopped short, his arms dropped to his side, his facehad a look of fear, of horror.

There, before him, in his riding-cloak and boots, with his whip inhis hand as he had come from his ride, stood Mr. Craig. His facewas pallid, and his unlit eyes were blazing with fierce light. AsNixon stopped, Craig stepped forward to him, and sweeping his eyesround upon the circle he exclaimed in tones intense with scorn--

'You cowards! You get a man where he's weak! Cowards! you'd damnhis soul for his money!'

There was dead silence, and Craig, lifting his hat, exclaimed solemnly--

'May God forgive you this night's work!'

Then, turning to Nixon, and throwing his arm over his shoulder, hesaid in a voice broken and husky--

'Come on, Nixon! we'll go!'