!"

For a moment, Derrick leaned his head upon his hand, avoiding her gaze.
At length, he said, drawing a deep breath: "I am troubled, Annie. These
are the evil days. I have much upon my mind."

"Evil days or not," she insisted, "promise me this one thing, that you
will not join Mr. Annixter's scheme." She had taken his hand in both of
hers and was looking into his face, her pretty eyes full of pleading.

"Promise me," she repeated; "give me your word. Whatever happens, let me
always be able to be proud of you, as I always have been. Give me your
word. I know you never seriously thought of joining Mr. Annixter, but I
am so nervous and frightened sometimes. Just to relieve my mind, Magnus,
give me your word."

"Why--you are right," he answered. "No, I never thought seriously of it.
Only for a moment, I was ambitious to be--I don't know what--what I
had hoped to be once--well, that is over now. Annie, your husband is a
disappointed man."

"Give me your word," she insisted. "We can talk about other things
afterward."

Again Magnus wavered, about to yield to his better instincts and to the
entreaties of his wife. He began to see how perilously far he had gone
in this business. He was drifting closer to it every hour. Already he
was entangled, already his foot was caught in the mesh that was being
spun. Sharply he recoiled. Again all his instincts of honesty revolted.
No, whatever happened, he would preserve his integrity. His wife was
right. Always she had influenced his better side. At that moment,
Magnus's repugnance of the proposed political campaign was at its pitch
of intensity. He wondered how he had ever allowed himself to so much
as entertain the idea of joining with the others. Now, he would
wrench free, would, in a single instant of power, clear himself of all
compromising relations. He turned to his wife. Upon his lips trembled
the promise she implored. But suddenly there came to his mind the
recollection of his new-made pledge to Annixter. He had given his word
that before arriving at a decision he would have a last interview with
him. To Magnus, his given word was sacred. Though now he wanted to, he
could not as yet draw back, could not promise his wife that he would
decide to do right. The matter must be delayed a few days longer.

Lamely, he explained this to her. Annie Derrick made but little response
when he had done. She kissed his forehead and went out of the room,
uneasy, depressed, her mind thro