cloak on the floor and striking a stage attitude.  She wanted to know who we were; by what right did we mix ourselves in this affair and come between a villain and his victim!  Then she turned on Wharton and began gesticulating and throwing herself into contortions like a Maenad, repeating again and again that he was her husband, an ‘infame,’ a ‘lache,’ and that she would take his life if she were not given her rights.  She drew herself up in all her height, and growled in her deepest voice:  ‘Je vais t’ecr-r-r-raser!’ Then she changed her tone and sobbed violently that on second thoughts she preferred to kill herself, and finally tore a small stage dagger from her breast and proposed to kill us all and herself too.”

“How many did she manage in the end?” asked Mr. Dudley.

“How did Mr. Wharton bear it?” asked Esther.

“Wharton stood it very well,” replied Hazard.  “He was sitting near her, and now and then she made a rush at him as though she really meant to strike him.  He never moved, or spoke, or took his eyes away from her.  I think he was overcome by association; he thought himself back in Paris ten years ago.”

“Doubtless this excellent woman has faults, owing to a defective education,” said Mr. Dudley with his usual dry, half-smile.  “We must make allowances for them.  I am more curious to know whether she got the better of my astute brother-in-law.”

“Mr. Murray took an unfair advantage over her,” said Hazard.  “He had taken the precaution to post a police officer in the next room, and after the woman had exhausted herself, and I think too had worn off the effects of the brandy she reeked with, he told her that she would go instantly to the police station if she did not behave herself.  I think her imagination must have taught her that an American police station might be something very terrible, for in a few minutes she quieted down and was only eager for money.”

“I suppose Murray means to terrify this poor creature into a sacrifice of her rights?” said Mr. Dudley.

“Wharton will have to settle an annuity on her, in order to get her back to Europe and keep her there.  In return, she has got to consent to a divorce.  Mr. Murray insists on this as his first condition.  Wharton began to say that she was his wife, and that he was bound to take care of her, until at last Mr. Murray told him to take himself off or he would have no more to do with the case.  So the woman, on receiving some money on the spot, consents to deal with Mr. Murray directly, on his terms, and Wharton leaves town till the papers are drawn up and the woman packed off.  He has had a shock which will prevent his working for some time.”

“He may not feel like painting saints,” said Mr. Dudley, “but I should think he was in good form for painting sinners.  Is there no room for a Jezebel in your portrait gallery?”

Mr. Dudley was too weak for late hours and Hazard went away early.  As he went he said he would come again to tell them the next chapter, if there was one.