that
when he did use it, hers must it be to obey him. Again she felt that
everlasting calm, arguing such latent forces, was the thing she hated
most in him.

"I think I had best be plain with you," said she. "I have fulfilled my
part of the bargain that we made. I intend to do no more. I promised
that if you spared my brother, I would go to the altar with you to-day.
I have carried out my contract to the letter. It is at an end."

"Indeed," said he; "I think it has not yet begun." He advanced towards
her, and took her hand. She yielded it, unwilling though she was. "This
is unworthy of you, madam," said he, his tone grave and deferential.
"You think to escape fulfilling the spirit of your bargain by adhering
to the letter of it. Not so," he ended, and shook his head, smiling
gently. "The carriage is still at your door. You return with me to
Zoyland Chase to take possession of your home."

"You mistake," said she, and tore her hand from his. "You say that what
I have done is unworthy. I admit it; but it is with unworthiness that we
must combat unworthiness. Was your attitude towards me less unworthy?"

"I'll make amends for it if you'll come home," said he.

"My home is here. You cannot compel me."

"I should be loath to," he admitted, sighing.

"You cannot," she insisted.

"I think I can," said he. "There is a law.."

"A law that will hang you if you invoke it," she cut in quickly. "This
much can I safely promise you."

She had need to say no more to tell him everything. At all times half a
word was as much to Mr. Wilding as a whole sentence to another. She saw
the tightening of his lips, the hardening of his eyes, beyond which he
gave no other sign that she had hit him.

"I see," said he. "It is another bargain that you make. I do suspect
there is some trader's blood in the Westmacott veins. Let us be clear.
You hold the wherewithal to ruin me, and you will use it if I insist
upon my husband's rights. Is it not so?"

She nodded in silence, surprised at the rapidity with which he had read
the situation.

"I admit," said he, "that you have me between sword and wall." He
laughed shortly. "Let me know more," he begged her. "Am I to understand
that so long as I leave you in peace--so long as I do not insist upon
your becoming my wife in more than name--you will not wield the weapon
that you hold?"

"You are to understand so," she answered.

He took a turn in the room, very thoughtful. Not of himself was h