“I don’t believe it, I don’t believe he is an Earl any more than I am.”

“That’s just like you, always throw cold water on every thing I say”

“It is no such thing, but I don’t believe in picking up strangers and putting them into my bosom; it is not all gold that glitters.”

“I know that, but how soon can you let me have some money?  I want to go out this afternoon and do some shopping and engage the semptress.”

“I tell you, Annette, I have not the money to spare; the money market is very tight, and I have very heavy bills to meet this month.”

“The money market tight! why it has been tight ever since I have been married.”

“Well you may believe it or not, just as you choose, but I tell you this crusading has made quite a hole in my business.”

“Now John Anderson, tell that to somebody that don’t know.  I don’t believe this crusading has laid a finger’s weight upon your business.”

“Yes it has, and if you read the papers you would find that it has even affected the revenue of the state and you will have to retrench somewhere.”

“Well, I’ll retrench somewhere.  I think we are paying our servants too high wages any how.  Mrs. Shenflint gets twice as much work done for the same money.  I’ll retrench, John Anderson, but I want you to remember that I did not marry you empty handed.”

“I don’t think I shall be apt to forget it in a hurry while I have such a gentle reminder at hand,” he replied sarcastically.

“And I suppose you would not have married me if I had had no money.”

“No, I would not,” said John Anderson thoroughly exasperated, “and I would have been a fool if I had.”

These bitter words spoken in a heat of passion were calculated to work disastrously in that sin darkened home.

For some time she had been suspecting that her money had been the chief inducement which led him to seek her hand, and now her worse suspicions were confirmed, and the last thread of confidence was severed.

“I should not have said it,” said Anderson to himself, “but the woman is so provoking and unreasonable.  I suppose she will have a fit of sulks for a month and never be done brooding over those foolish words”; and Anderson sighed as if he were an ill used man.  He had married for money, and he had got what he bargained for; love, confidence, and mutual esteem were not sought in the contract and these do not necessarily come of themselves.

“Well, the best I can do is to give her what money she wants and be done with it.”

* * * * *

“Is not in her room?”

“No sir and her bed has not been rumpled.”

“Where in the world can she be?”

“I don’t know, but here is a note she left.”

“What does she say? read it Annette.”

“She says she feels that you were unjust to the Earl and that she hopes you will forgive her the steps she has taken, but by the time the letter reaches you she expects to be the Countess of Clarendon.”