about our
business. Walk down ---- Street and you'll see half-a-dozen of their
name-plates. When they're young and handsome they get plenty of
customers, and it's suspected that Coralie, with assistance, runs a
select gambling bank of evenings. The charlatan is not tied to one
profession."

"I catch on--correct phrase, isn't it?" rejoined the Englishman. "Of
course, you're liberal minded and free from effete prejudice, but I
hardly fancied the wives of your best citizens would care to meet such
ladies."

"They wouldn't if they knew it!" was the answer. "Coralie's a
newcomer; such women are birds of passage, and before she grows too
famous the police will move her on. In fact, I've been wondering how
she got on board to-day."

"Leslie passed her up the gangway," said another man, adding, with a
suggestive laugh as he answered another question: "Why did he do it?
Well, perhaps he's had his fortune told, or you can ask him. Anyway,
although I think he wanted to, he dared not turn her back."

Millicent, rising, slipped away. Trembling with rage, she was glad to
lean upon the steamer's rail. She had discovered long ago that her
husband was not a model of virtue, but the knowledge that his
shortcomings were common property was particularly bitter to her. Of
late she had dutifully endeavored to live on good terms with him, and
it was galling to discover that he had only, it seemed, worked upon her
softer mood for the purpose of extorting money to lavish upon illicit
pleasures. She felt no man could sink lower than that, and determined
there should be a reckoning that very night.

"My dear Mrs. Leslie," said a voice beside her. "Why, you look quite
ill. My husband brought a bottle of stuff guaranteed to cure steamboat
malady. Run and get it, Charley," and Millicent turned to meet her
young married friend.

"Please don't trouble, Mr. Nelson. I am not in the least sea-sick,"
Millicent replied. "You might, however, spread out that deck chair for
me. It is a passing faintness which will leave me directly."

She remembered nothing about the rest of the voyage, except that, when
the steamer reached the wharf, her husband, who helped her down the
gangway, said:

"I have promised to go to the conference and afterwards dine with the
delegates, Millicent, so I dare say you will excuse me. I shall not be
late if I can help it, and you might wait up for me."

Millicent, who had intended to wait for him, in any