usband money than respect, the more so because he
had usually some specious excuse, which appealed both to her ambition
and her gambling instinct. At times he handed her small amounts of
money, said to be her share of the profits on speculations, for which
he required the loans.

"'Pressure of work, but must make an effort to see you as you
suggest,'" Leslie read aloud. "H'm! 'Limit exceeded already. Will be
in town, and try to call upon you on Thursday.'"

"It is very good of him," remarked Millicent. "He evidently finds
every minute precious, and I am very reluctant to bring him here. I
gather that, except for my request, he would have deferred his other
business. Still, I suppose you must have the money, Harry?"

"I must," was the answer, and Leslie, who did not look up, busied
himself with his plate. "Better write that you expect him, and I will
post the note. By the way, I must remind you that we take the Eastern
Fishery delegates on their steamer trip the day after to-morrow, and
though there may be rather a mixed company, I want you to turn out
smartly, and get hold of the best people. It would be well to see a
mention of the handsome Mrs. Leslie in the newspaper report."

Millicent frowned. She was a vain woman, but she had some genuine
pride, and there were limits to her forbearance. By the time her
husband had induced her to withdraw her refusal to accompany him, it
was too late further to discuss Thurston's visit, which was exactly
what Leslie desired. Accordingly, well pleased with himself, he set
out for his office, with a letter in his hand.

Mrs. Leslie had reason to remember the steamer excursion. A party of
prominent persons had been invited to accompany the Fishery delegates
on the maritime picnic, organized for the purpose of displaying the
facilities that coast afforded for the prosecution of a new industry.
It was difficult for the committee to draw a rigid line, and the
company was decidedly mixed, more so than even Millicent at first
surmised. Her husband, who acted as marshal, was kept busy most of the
time, but she noticed a swift look of annoyance on his face when,
before the steamer sailed, a tastefully-dressed young woman ascended
the gangway, where he was receiving the guests. There was nothing
dubious in the appearance of the lady or her elderly companion, and yet
Millicent felt that Leslie was troubled by their presence, and
hesitated to let them pass. The younger l