The lawyer rose from his chair, and rested the tips of his fingers on the table in front of him, bending slightly forward.

"She was a good girl; and you loved her. Don't forget that," he said.

"No; I won't forget it, Melvin."

"And—there are others, just as good; don't forget that, either."

"No. There are no others like her. She was the last woman—for me; the last woman; and she is dead."

"The last woman? Nonsense!"

"The last woman, Melvin. You don't understand me."

"No, I do not understand you."

"Good God! Don't you see how it all came about? Don't you know Patricia Langdon?"

"I know that I won't hear a word against her, even now—even from you, Duncan," said the lawyer, with a touch of savagery.