Breathed against him: lips were closed throughout his life, or since his death,

For if he be dead or living I can tell no more than you.

All I know is—Cocky had one chance more; how he used it,—grew

Out of such unlucky habits, or relapsed, and back again

Brought the late-ejected devil with a score more in his train,—

That 's for you to judge. Reprieval I procured, at any rate.

Ugh—the memory of that minute's fear makes gooseflesh rise! Why prate

Longer? You 've my story, there 's your instance: fear I did, you see!"

"Well"—I hardly kept from laughing—"if I see it, thanks must be

Wholly to your Lordship's candor. Not that —in a common case—