ain-speaking can avail them anything, they will
undoubtedly receive both, from our good Jane."

Providence also arranged that the London express was one minute late, and
the doctor caught it. Whereat the chauffeur rejoiced; for he was "walking
out" with Her ladyship's maid, whose evening off it chanced to be. The
all-important events of life are apt to hang upon the happenings of one
minute.

CHAPTER XXIV

MRS. DALMAIN REVIEWS THE SITUATION

"So you see, Jane," concluded Lady Ingleby, pathetically, "as Michael is
not coming back, I am indeed alone."

"Loving Jim Airth as you do--" said Jane Dalmain.

"Did," interposed Lady Ingleby.

"Did, and do," said Jane Dalmain, "you would have been worse than alone
if Michael had, after all, come back. Oh, Myra! I cannot imagine anything
more unendurable, than to love one man, and be obliged to live with
another."

"I should not have allowed myself to go on loving Jim," said Lady
Ingleby.

"Rubbish!" pronounced Mrs. Dalmain, with forceful decision. "My dear
Myra, that kind of remark paves the way for the devil, and is one of his
favourite devices. More good women have been tripped by over-confidence
in their ability to curb and to control their own affections, than by
direct temptation to love where love is not lawful. Men are different;
their temptations are not so subtle. They know exactly to what it will
lead, if they dally with sentiment. Therefore, if they mean to do the
right thing in the end, they keep clear of the danger at the beginning.
We cannot possibly forbid ourselves to go on loving, where love has once
been allowed to reign supreme. I know you would not, in the first
instance, have let yourself care for Jim Airth, had you not been free.
But, once loving him, if so appalling a situation could have arisen as
the unexpected return of your husband, your only safe and honourable
course would have been to frankly tell Lord Ingleby: 'I grew to love Jim
Airth while I believed you dead. I shall always love Jim Airth; but, I
want before all else to be a good woman and a faithful wife. Trust me to
be faithful; help me to be good.' Any man, worth his salt, would respond
to such an appeal."

"And shoot himself?" suggested Lady Ingleby.

"I said 'man,' not 'coward,'" responded Mrs. Dalmain, with fine scorn.

"Jane, you are so strong-minded," murmured Lady Ingleby. "It goes with
your linen collars, your tailor-made coats, and your big boots. I cannot
pictur