himself on the top of the rock, and you and me stand at its base, side by side, pleading our cause before him! There might, at least, be two criminals instead of one.”

“You forced this on me,” replied Hollingsworth, looking her sternly in the face. “Did I call you hither from among the masqueraders yonder? Do I assume to be your judge? No; except so far as I have an unquestionable right of judgment, in order to settle my own line of behavior towards those with whom the events of life bring me in contact.

True, I have already judged you, but not on the world’s part, — neither do I pretend to pass a sentence!”

“Ah, this is very good!” cried Zenobia with a smile. “What strange beings you men are, Mr. Coverdale! —