“Laughing and talking may be well enough; but it was more than that; you were actually flirting.”

“You call it that just because you are jealous.  And if I was, it was your fault—­setting me the example by flirting with Miss Deane.”

“I did nothing of the kind,” he returned haughtily.  “I sat beside her against my will, simply because she requested me to go over those sketches and engravings with her.  I couldn’t in common politeness refuse.”

“Well, I didn’t know that; and you needn’t scold me for following your example.”

“I tell you I did not set you the example; and I advise you to beware how you behave so again.  Also how you interfere in the discipline grandpa and mamma see proper to use toward Max and his sisters, as you did to-night.”

“So you have been acting the spy upon your wife!” she interrupted in scornful indignation.

“No; I overheard you quite accidentally.  It is the second time you have done that thing, and I warn you to let it be the last.”

“Indeed!  Why don’t you say at once that you’ll beat me if I don’t obey all your tyrannical orders?”

“Because it wouldn’t be true; should I ever so far forget myself as to lift my hand against my wife, I could never again lay claim to the name of gentleman.”

“Perhaps, then, you will lock me up?” she sneered.

“Possibly I may, if you make it necessary,” he said coldly.

“Lock me up, indeed!  I’d like to see you try it!” she cried, starting up with flashing eyes, and stamping her foot in a sort of fury of indignation.

Then rushing into the adjoining room, she tore off her ornaments and dress, pulled down her hair, her cheeks burning, her eyes hot and dry.

But by the time she had assumed her night-dress the first fury of passion had spent itself, and scalding tears were raining down her cheeks.

She threw herself on the bed, sobbing convulsively.  “Oh, I never, never thought he would treat me so! and he wouldn’t dare if papa was alive; but he knows I’ve nobody to defend me—­nobody in the wide world, and he can abuse me as much as he pleases.  But I think it’s very mean for a big strong man to be cruel to a little weak woman.”

Then as her anger cooled still more, “But I have done and said provoking things to-day as well as he,” she acknowledged to herself.  “I suppose if I’d been in his place I’d have got mad, too, and scolded and threatened my wife.  Well, if he’d only come and kiss me and coax me a little, I’d say I was sorry and didn’t intend to vex him, so any more.”

She hushed her sobs and listened.  She could hear him moving about in the dressing-room.

“Edward!” she called in soft, tremulous tones.

No answer.

She waited a moment, then called a little louder, “Ned!”

There was no reply, and she turned over on her pillow, and cried herself to sleep.

When she woke all was darkness and silence.