careful to let none of the elation she felt escape her as she
replied to Toni's speech after a significant pause.

"Put that way, it sounds dreadful," she said, pretending to shudder. "I
don't think I really meant that. I only thought that perhaps--your
husband is a writer, you know, an artist--with the artistic temperament,
I suppose; and everyone knows that genius is difficult to live with."

"I don't care for myself," said Toni hastily. "I could always be
happy--with Owen--but if you really think I spoil his life----"

"Oh, don't say that, dear." Eva spoke soothingly. "I daresay I am
entirely mistaken. Of course, you know best how you get on; and after
all Mr. Rose is so keen on his work he hasn't much time for outside
things."

"I wonder what Owen would say--or do--if I left him?" She spoke
musingly; and Eva's heart beat tumultuously as she noted the result of
her tentative suggestion.

"Go after you and bring you back, I expect." Such was Eva's reply.

"Then there wouldn't be much use in going," said Toni quickly, and Eva
read the relief in her eyes.

"No--not if you went like that." Her tone was purposely cryptic.

"But--how else should I go?"

"Why, if you really wanted to go----" Eva broke off with a laugh. "Don't
be so silly, Toni. You talk as though I had really meant my stupid
suggestion."

"Didn't you mean it?" Toni's gaze was disconcerting.

"Why, of course not. Come, Toni, let's have tea. I'll send for Jim, too.
It's getting quite dark."

"Wait a moment," said Toni. "Eva, if I made up my mind to leave
Owen--for his own sake--how could I prevent him fetching me back?"

"You really mean it?" Eva's tone sent a chill through Toni's veins.
"Supposing you really saw that it was for Owen's good--that by remaining
with him you were spoiling his life, ruining his career--making him
unhappy, in short--you mean in _that_ case how could you prevent him
searching for you?"

"Yes," Toni said, her eyes on the fire, "that is what I mean."

"There's only one way, Toni." She was careful to speak lightly. "If you
went away with another man----" for a moment even her nerve failed her,
but she conquered her weakness and went on calmly, and her grey Irish
eyes were as cold as ice as she looked at Toni. "Then your husband would
probably divorce you, and devote himself to his career."

For a second Toni's pallor alarmed her. All the girl's colour died away,
leaving her curiously white round the mouth, a sign o