your office of protector to this young lady?
Why should you interfere where she and
her father do not? You surely give me
credit for more sense than to suppose I
could pay any attention to such threats?
Explain it to me."

"I can explain nothing, except that she
is too innocent and holy a creature to be
made either a mere player in a game,
whether another woman is to be the winner,
or to be flung away, a sacrifice on the altar
of a mercenary marriage. Yes, Conway,
out of the world as I am, I have friends
who are well informed, who let me know
the rumours and the stories."

"Rumours—stories! This is intolerable!
Mr. Dudley, I request you will not interfere
with me any more. That answer is final.
I have noticed your manner all through—
your looks and interference, both to-night
and on other occasions. I have spoken
reasonably with you, and asked for some
justification. You decline to give it. Well,
then, I decline to take any notice of your
demand."

They were now down by the club-house
door, all lit up, and Conway pulled up
sharply.  "I suppose you will get down
here," he said; "and I think it will be for
the best that we should not come back to
this subject. I give and take always. I
shall not venture to interfere with you, but
you must not with me."

The door of the club was open, and two or
three gentlemen were standing in the blaze
of light smoking. Conway jumped down,
and walked round by the side of the club to
the little pier where the boats landed. Dudley
had got down more quickly, and standing
at the top of the steps barred the way.

"This will not do, Conway. You must
not go to-night before you promise me.
Or, better still, go on board now, weigh
anchor, sail away, and help your family in
some other fashion."

Conway laughed loudly. "I am not
mad yet," he said. "This amuses me."

"How dare you laugh at me!" said the
other, furiously, and advancing on him:
"What do you mean? Don't think you
shall insult me, though you can girls.
What if I don't let you pass this night?"

Conway began to think he was mad, but
his behaviour was logical enough.

"This all passes the limits of forbearance.
I have my men below at the boat, and in
one second I shall call them. I warn you,
change your behaviour—for the last time.
Stand out of my way, please. Here, Benson,
get this gentleman to leave the way clear."

A large hand gripped Dudley's arm and
thrust him back from the steps. In an
instant he had shaken himself clear.

"You dare set your fellows on me! Take
that!" And in a second he was flinging
himself on Conway. But the latter was
prepared. Always active, he sprang back,
and catching Dudley by the collar,
deliberately flung him back. The stones were
slippery, there was no railing, and the
unlucky Dudley went over into the shallow
water.

The club gentlemen came running up at
the splash, windows were thrown open—the
boat was only a yard off, and he was had
out in a twinkling.

"My God!" cried Doctor Bailey, always
judicious, "keep them apart, or there will
be bloodshed. Fetch him out, bring a
rope some one—the man will be drowned!"

All this while "the man" was out of the
water, standing up, shaking himself, and
trying to clear the spray from his eyes.

"Where is he?" he said, rather wildly:
"let me see him!" But Benson, the mate,
had him by the arm.

"That won't do, master."

"I did not mean that," said Conway, in
a loud voice. "And I wish all who have
seen the matter to understand that it was
quite an accident." With that he walked
down the steps into his boat, and was
pulled away to his yacht.

Now Ready, price 5s. 6d., bound in green cloth,
THE SECOND VOLUME
OF THE NEW SERIES OF
ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
To be had of all Booksellers.

MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S FINAL READINGS.

MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S FINAL FAREWELL
READINGS will take place at St. James's Hall, as
follows: Tuesday, February 8, "The Story of Little
Dombey" (last time), and "Mr. Bob Sawyer's Party"
(from Pickwick). Tuesday, February 15, "Boots at
the Holly Tree Inn," "Sikes and Nancy" (from Oliver
Twist), and "Mrs. Gamp" (last time). Tuesday,
February 22, "Nicholas Nickleby at Mr. Squeers's School"
(last time), and "Mr. Chops the Dwarf " (last time).
Tuesday, March 1, "David Copperfield" (last time),
and the "Trial from Pickwick." Tuesday, March 8,
"Boots at the Holly Tree Inn" (last time), "Sikes and
Nancy" (from Oliver Twist, last time), and "Mr. Bob
Sawyer's Party" (from Pickwick, last tune). Tuesday,
March 15 (FINAL FAREWELL READING), "The
Christmas Carol" (last time), and the "Trial from
Pickwick" (last time).

All communications to be addressed to Messrs.
CHAPPELL and Co., 50, New Bond-Street, W.