. Pauline was vain, but so are most women, and most men too for
that matter, for while a woman seeks admiration for her personal charms
a man is equally proud of his achievements, and he is never so happy as
when he is being praised for what he has done. So, on reviewing the
matter of our matrimonial squabbles calmly and dispassionately, I came
to the conclusion that there had been faults on both sides, and I made
up my mind to be more conciliatory and less exacting in my conduct
toward Pauline in the future, hoping by these means to effect a
reconciliation so that I might live with some degree of comfort in my
own house. To this end also I resolved to give Pauline my share of the
pearls aid as ransom by King Thedori, in order that she might possess a
necklace unequalled at Amsterdam. Besides which I had my rubies.

Hartog also had become graver and more reserved than was his habit
before we had set out upon this voyage. He seemed to regret the
well-deserved fate which had overtaken Donna Isabel Barreto, and he
would have asked nothing better than to set off on a voyage of
discovery in search of her.

So it was with subdued and chastened spirits that Hartog and I arrived
at Amsterdam, where it was arranged that Hartog should dispose of our
rich cargo and apportion the profits of the venture. As a peace
offering to Pauline I took with me twenty splendid pearls and six
silver fox-skins, and, thus provided, I presented myself at my house
at Amsterdam, to which I was at first denied admittance by the
man-servant, who opened the door to me, and who had no knowledge of
my identity.

While we were arguing the matter; however, Pauline appeared in the
hall, into which I advanced to meet her. She was changed, I thought,
and her face had wonderfully softened. I held out my arms to her, and
she came to me, nestling into my embrace as though she indeed belonged
to me. Then she rested her head upon my shoulder, and gave way to
tears. I was touched by this kindly greeting, and had begun to mentally
upbraid myself for my former conduct, and to promise amendment in the
future, when the cause of my wife's changed disposition was suddenly,
in a flash, revealed to me by a series of yells from a room upstairs,
accompanied by a low voice of pleading in remonstrance, and what
sounded like the, throwing about of some hard substance on the floor.

I looked into my wife's eyes, and read in them the secret of the great
happiness which had com