” “Borrow the money! But who lent you the money?” “A friend,” said Ann Veronica. To-morrow night —or rather to-night, for we are fast verging on another day—I propose to lure him out of the house by a stratagem which I am sure will prove infallible; and, then, what so easy as to knock him on the head. I fought ten lions at once. ’ She let out a peal of laughter. "Pray, make no further mystery; but tell me all without reserve. " Sheppard was no match for his opponent, for, though he possessed more science, he was deficient in weight and strength; and, after a short round, in which he had decidedly the worst of it, a well-directed hit on the nob stretched him at full length on the floor. ‘Where the devil have you been?’ ‘Consorting with a nun in the gardens. ’ ‘Why the devil should you be interested, I should like to know?’ rejoined Roding.