of the southern blood. If the seeds of conjecture unfavourable to Tito had been planted in the mind of anyone present, they were hardly strong enough to grow without the aid of much daylight and ill-will. The common-looking, wild-eyed old man, clad in serge, might have won belief without very strong evidence, if he had accused a man who was envied and disliked. As it was, the only congruous and probable view of the case seemed to be the one that sent the unpleasant accuser safely out of sight, and left the pleasant serviceable Tito just where he was before.
The subject gradually floated away, and gave place to others, till a heavy tramp, and something like the struggling of a man who was being dragged away, were heard outside.
The sounds soon died out, and the interruption seemed to make the last hour’s conviviality more resolute and vigorous. Everyone was willing to forget a disagreeable incident.