th flashing eyes and a stormy flush on her cheeks his wife
faced him; and even Herrick recoiled a step, aghast at the picture of
evil, revengeful triumph she presented in that moment. "You are blaming
me for that affair, are you? Doubtless you and the bereft husband joined
upon your journey down in calling me all the pretty names which seem to
fit me--evil genius, bad angel, and all the rest. Well, it may surprise
you to learn that it is to me that the 'poor misguided child' turns even
now when she wants news of her loving husband. Oh, you may stare, but I
know more than all of you. I know just where the misguided Toni is at
this moment, and what she is doing into the bargain."

She had surprised him indeed. He sprang forward and seized her arm.

"You know that? Then why in God's name haven't you said so before?"

"Because I've only just got to know," she answered defiantly, "and
because although I _do_ know, I'm not going to hand on my
knowledge--now."

"What do you mean?" Her vindictive tone made his blood run cold.

"I had meant, when her letter came to-night, to show it to you, to let
you tell Mr. Rose. Wasn't I a fool?" She laughed scornfully. "Why on
earth should I give away the precious information? You don't suppose I
care whether Toni ever sees her husband again? I hope she doesn't, in
fact. Other women are unhappy--they suffer--let her suffer, too, let her
know what it is to live in hell, to wish herself dead so that she may at
least forget her misery."

"Eva!" His voice rang through the room. "You are going too far. Tell me
this moment--where is Mrs. Rose?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" While she mocked him she was endeavouring
to edge past him to reach the table on which Toni's letter still lay.
Unconsciously he frustrated her, blocking the way in an attempt to force
her to speak plainly.

"I intend to know." His voice was as cold as ice. "Come, Eva, if pity
for the girl doesn't move you, think of the man. Why condemn him to this
mental torture, when a word from you can set him free?"

Suddenly she paused before him; and to his dying day he would never
forget the hatred in her eyes.

"Did you think of that, when a word from you would have set me free? Did
you utter the word which would have condemned you to prison but would
have let me go back to the world of sunshine and freedom? Did any of the
men who sent me to that hell think of my torture, my agony? Why should I
think of anyone else now? What