your own
husband to prison--eh?"

"Ah, you will drive me to desperation!" she cried, her dark eyes glaring
at him angrily. "Give me the letter and go--go! Bracondale may be back
now--at any moment!"

"I assure you I fear neither Bracondale nor you--nor even the result of
your confession. And I feel quite loath to-night to leave you; you look
so extremely charming in that pretty gown."

"Don't be foolish. At least have some consideration for me--for my
future."

"It is my own future I am thinking of," he declared harshly. "Your
future is assured, so long as you play the game with Bracondale. If you
act indiscreetly, and give way to silly moods, then you will only have
yourself to blame for your ruin. Besides," he added, with his lip
curling slightly, "you have the child to consider. What's her name?"

"Her name is of no matter to you," was Jean's hot response. "She is
mine, not yours."

"I'm rather glad of that," he responded. "But I don't think this is
really a fit opportunity to waste time in mutual recrimination."

"No. Go, I tell you. If you remain longer, it will be
dangerous--dangerous for us both."

He looked at the clock, and then his gaze wandered to the closed
jewel-case upon the Louis Quinze table. The small room, closed as it
was, was filled with the perfume of the great bunch of flowers in the
long Chinese vase--a perfume that seemed almost overpowering.

"But I tell you I see no danger," was his careless reply, for it seemed
his object to taunt her. He had already hinted at a continued tax upon
her resources if she desired him to keep his lips sealed, and she, on
her part, realising his true character, clearly foresaw that all her
efforts could have but one result. To satisfy his demands would be
impossible.

A shadow had fallen upon her eventful life, one that would never again
be lifted.

"Will you have no pity for me?" she implored. "Have you come here with
the express intent of goading me to madness?"

"No--simply in order to have a straight talk with you--a chat between
husband and wife."

"Well, we have had it. Take the pearls and go. Get clear away before you
are discovered. Bracondale may now be back at any moment," she added in
fear of his sudden return.

"I'm in no great hurry, I assure you," was his reply, as he seated
himself upon the arm of a chair.

"Give me the letter, Ralph. Do--if you please."

He laughed in her face, his hands stuck in his jacket pockets, as was
his