n diverse topics,
while the party drove leisurely towards the city.

When Leslie returned home from his office he found his wife awaiting
him with the disdainful look upon her face which he had learned to hate.

"What's the matter now, Millicent? Has something upset your usually
pacific temper?" he asked with a sneer.

"Yes," was the direct answer. "When you last asked my assistance you,
as usual, lied to me. I helped you to trace your--your confederate,
because you told me it was the only way to escape ruin. For once I
believed you, which was blindly foolish of me. I met Mr. Thurston and
learned from him how somebody had plotted to destroy his machinery. He
did not know it was you, and I very nearly told him."

"Don't be a fool, Millicent," Leslie admonished. "I'm sick of these
displays of temper--they don't become you. I tell you I plotted
nothing except to get my man into my own hands again. The other
rascals exceeded their orders on their own responsibility. Oh, you
would wear out any poor man's patience! Folks in my position don't do
such childish things as hire people to upset wagons loaded with
machinery."

"I do not believe you," replied Millicent, and Leslie laughed
ironically.

"I don't know that it greatly matters whether you do or not. Have you
any more such dutiful things to say?"

"Just this. One hears of honor among thieves, and it is evident you
cannot rise even to that. You have once more tricked me, and
henceforward I warn you that you must carry on your work in your own
way. Further, if I hear of any more plotting to do Thurston injury, I
shall at once inform him."

"Then," Leslie gripped her arm until his fingers left their mark on the
soft white flesh, "I warn you that it will be so much the worse for
you. Good heavens, why don't you--but go, and don't tempt me to say
what I feel greatly tempted to."

Millicent shook off his grasp, moved slowly away, turning to fling back
a bitter answer from the half-opened door.

"Confound her!" said Leslie, refilling the glass upon the table. "Now,
what the devil tempted me to ruin all my prospects by marrying that
woman?"

CHAPTER XXI

REPARATION

"You will have to go," said Henry Leslie, glancing sharply at his wife
across the breakfast-table as he returned her an open letter which had
lately arrived by the English mail. "I hardly know where to find the
money for your passage out and home just now, and you will want new