efore her, having evidently just concluded speaking.

'So, sir,' she said, 'I have heard you without interruption. But the
character you rehearse is inappropriate. You forget that we are now
concerned with a piece representing the tribulations of a faithful wife,
and not a comedy of the school of Charles the Second. I see that you are
sincere; but sincerity renders a bad passion the more hateful. Now leave
me. For your own contentment crush it. If this is impossible, conceal
it. Should you ever again intimate it by even a glance, I will expel you
from my society as I would a viper.'

'Madam,' he gasped forth in suppressed rage, 'I understand you. You
shall also understand me, if you now do not. I will reduce your haughty
pride. Of this be assured. You play well the _role_ of the faithful
wife, but I will not do you the injustice of supposing that it is
through any regard for him on whose behalf you assume it.'

He would have said more, but Evelyn sprang up, her eyes flashing, and,
seizing a dagger which lay on a table among other 'properties,'
exclaimed,--

'Begone, sir, or you shall find me an actress who can perform a terrible
reality.'

She advanced toward him, and he turned away, passing out slowly, cowed,
but not vanquished. I could see that he was determined to become her
master, though it cost him all that he had invested in ambition, honor,
and life.

She flung down the dagger, paused till he was out of the house, and then
went to her rooms. I emerged from my hiding-place, laughing and sobbing
hysterically,--rejoicing over my glorious Evelyn, and bewailing that she
was not in truth mine.

A few weeks after this scene, I found on several occasions, when
returning home late, that Evelyn was out. I never interfered with her
freedom, nor questioned her in regard to any of her proceedings; but,
nevertheless, in all cases, as there was no concealment concerning them,
I was, by the ordinary channels of social and domestic intercourse,
acquainted with them. With regard to the absences alluded to, however, I
was at fault. They were not attributable to any of the engagements of
society. It became, of course, requisite, as part of my system, to
investigate the mystery. So, on a certain evening, after going out
apparently as usual, I watched the house, and, shortly after dusk, saw
her emerge, clad in plain habiliments, and followed her at a distance
through several secluded streets. She stopped at a very ordinary
t