better, Mrs. Westbourne!' my husband
said to me, one evening, when we were alone together.

"'Yes, thank God!' I exclaimed fervently, 'I am now nearly restored to
health again.'

"'You do well to thank God, and not me,' he said with a withering sneer,
'you owe me no gratitude for the same.'

"'How you must hate me!' I said, trembling at his tones.

"'Hate you!' he replied, with his face to the very lips livid with
passion, 'if I could strike you out of existence this moment, as you sit
there, I would be almost willing to serve a score of years for the
privilege, and even submit to bear the felon's brand upon my person,
through the remainder of my life. You are a clog and an impediment in
the way of my happiness, the one encumbrance to be got rid of at any
sacrifice. It shall be done! I swear it shall be done, if the heavens
fall and the earth rocks to its foundations!'

"'What shall I do?' Oh, what shall I do?' I cried helplessly.

"'Do!' he hissed, 'listen to me. A short time ago I was so weary of you,
that, with hardly a reason I sought to rid myself of your presence. I
then proposed a separation upon any terms that pleased you, not thinking
it likely that I should ever marry again. I would have been generous
then, had you yielded to my wishes. Since then the aspect of affairs
have changed. I have met the woman whom I have willed shall rule over
this house in your place. She is gloriously beautiful, proud as a queen
and as rich. I desire to appear to the best advantage before her, and I
shall not scruple at the means. I want all the world to think that I am
an injured husband.'

"'Perhaps you have forgotten your old friend Halleck. He called often
during your illness, to inquire after you, and manifested much interest
in your case. I learned that he was quite attentive to you during my
absence last summer. You see you have been thoughtless enough to give me
just the advantage I wanted, Mrs. Westbourne, and I can bring a dozen
witnesses to prove your infidelity, when I want them.

"'You may have guessed from what I have said thus far, that I propose to
apply for a bill of divorce at no distant day.'

"I was perfectly stupefied at this announcement. 'You surely will not
commit this great wrong, Geoffrey,' I exclaimed. 'You do not wish, nor
need me to tell you that I am innocent of the charge.'

"'No,' he said slowly, in a more softened tone, though the hard lines
around the firm mouth never relaxed, and the c