ity with which she rattled away to him, now on this theme, now on
that.

Excitement lent an unwonted glow to her cheek and brilliancy and sparkle
to her always beautiful eyes.

Edward, watching her furtively, with darkening brow, thought he had never
seen her so pretty and fascinating, and never had her low soft laugh, as
now and again it reached his ear, sounded so silvery sweet and musical,
yet it jarred on his nerves, and he would fain have stopped it.

He hoped momentarily that Mr. Larned would go, but he sat on and on the
whole evening, Zoe entertaining him all the while.

Other members of the family came in, but though he rose to greet them, he
immediately resumed his seat, and she kept hers, even in spite of the
frowning looks her husband gave her from time to time, but which she
feigned not to see.

At length, his mother perceiving with pain what was going on, managed to
release him from Miss Deane, and he at once took a seat on his wife's
other side, and joined in the talk.

Zoe had but little to say after that, and Mr. Larned presently took his
departure.

That was a signal for the good-nights, and all scattered to their rooms.

Zoe's heart quaked as the door of her boudoir closed upon her, shutting
her in alone with her irate husband.

She knew that he was angry, more angry with her than he had ever been
before, and though in her thoughts she tried to put all the blame on him,
conscience told her that she was by no means blameless.

He locked the door, then turned toward her. She glanced up at him half
defiantly, half timidly. His look was very stern and cold.

She turned away with a pout and a slight shrug of her pretty shoulders.

"It seems your smiles are for Miss Deane, while your black looks are
reserved for your wife," she said.

"I have no interest in Miss Deane," he replied; "it is nothing to me how
she behaves, but my wife's conduct is a matter of vital importance; and
let me tell you, Zoe, I will have no more such exhibitions as you made of
yourself to-night with either Mr. Larned or any other man. I won't allow
it. There are some things a man won't put up with. You must and shall show
some respect to my wishes in regard to this."

"Orders, you'd better say," she muttered.

"Well, then, orders, if you prefer it."

She was very angry, and withal a good deal frightened.

"Exhibitions indeed!" she cried, sinking into a chair, for she was
trembling from head to foot. "What did I do?