d eight hours' sleep, my brain
don't work right. So if I'm not up to my usual standard, don't blame
me."

He turned on his heel and was leaving the room when he bumped into his
sister-in-law, who was just coming in.

"Good night, Virginia," he mumbled.

"Good night, Jimmie," she replied cordially.

He went out, closing the door behind him.

CHAPTER XV

As the door slammed, leaving her alone with her husband, Virginia felt
herself grow hot and cold by turns. Desperate, she looked around to
see if there was anywhere she could go, but there was no escape
possible. Practically she was a prisoner, at the mercy of a man who,
his worst instincts aroused by wine, was temporarily another being.
His naturally generous impulses, his gentlemanly bearing, his kindly
consideration for the weaker sex, all that was momentarily cast to the
winds and like the savage beast, unaccustomed to control his
appetites, he stopped at nothing in a wild, passionate madness to
gratify his brutal desires.

It was horrible, revolting, yet what could she do? The law gave this
man certain rights over her. Was not she herself largely to blame? Had
she not sold herself to a man she did not love without even the excuse
of necessity to sanction the disgraceful barter of flesh and honor?
And what made it the more cruel was that gradually love had come into
her life. Yes, she was sure of it now. In spite of his neglect, his
indifference, she loved him and it was just because she loved him that
it broke her heart to see him degrade his manhood.

The distant sounds of the Gillies and the servants retiring died away.
The lights throughout the big house were extinguished one by one. A
heavy silence fell over everything. Growing more nervous each instant,
Virginia watched her husband furtively. If only he, too, would say
good-night and go to his room! At present he seemed to be in no hurry
to depart, and yet he did not appear to be thinking about her, being
still highly amused by what Jimmie had said. Suddenly bursting into
laughter, he exclaimed:

"His brain! Ha! ha! Good night! Jimmie's brain! Ah, that's rich!"

Virginia went back to her dressing table, where she pretended to be
busily occupied combing her hair. He followed her, still laughing.
When his merriment had somewhat subsided, he hiccoughed:

"That boy's more fun to me! I wouldn't lose his company for anything
in the world! From the very first day he came to work for me he's been