reason, Jude, with the crazy brutality
that had long been gathering, had flung his young wife from his
protection on to Gaston's.

Well, he would accept the responsibility. He was quite calm, and his
blood was up. A pleasurable excitement possessed him, and he laughed to
calm the fear he saw in Joyce's eyes.

The clock struck nine. All that was respectable and innocent in St. Ange
was in bed at that hour.

Gaston wondered what he was going to do with the girl. The thought did
not disturb him; but, of course, he must make arrangements.

Long ago he had so shut out his own world that he could not, now, call
upon it for Joyce's protection. St. Ange was impossible as a working
basis--his thoughts flew to Filmer. Yes; as soon as Joyce could explain,
he would go for Filmer and together they would solve this riddle for the
poor, battered soul, shrinking before him.

He must hurry her a little. St. Ange and nine o'clock must be
considered.

The wine had brought life and colour into the white face. The glorious
hair, now rapidly drying in the warm room, was curling in childish
fashion above the wide eyes.

She was certainly too young and pretty to run the risk that the night
might bring.

A complication arose. Divine pity made way for a sense of the girl's
beauty and helplessness. The bruise upon the soft cheek cried out for
tenderness and protection. Gaston strove to detach himself from the
personal element. He strove to feel old and fatherly but he was still
young; Fate was tempting him in the subtlest manner. The best and the
worst of the man came to the fore.

The wind howled outside; the warmth and comfort held them
close--together, and alone.

What did anything matter? They had both done their parts. They had tried
to be what the world called good--and here they were tossed back upon
each other, and not a hope beyond.

Then Gaston found himself speaking quite outside of the consciousness
that was almost stifling him with its allurement.

"Joyce, I must take you home as soon as you can walk. I can straighten
this out. It shall not happen again. You forget I have a certain hold
over Jude."

"There is no home." The words fell dully from the girl. "He--he broke
and destroyed everything before--he went to the Black Cat."

Gaston started.

"But he--did not know you came here? You see it will be in your favour,
if they find you there among the ruins. I'll see to it--that they go and
find you there. Can you w