ange. I made my men stop rowing for a minute, and I
listened. I am not surprised that the sleeping draught I gave your
husband had no effect. Under the circumstances it probably even did him
harm. But no doctor could have foreseen that."

She moved restlessly. Isaacson got up and stood before her.

"I'm going to speak plainly," he said. "Some time ago, in my
consulting-room in London, you told me a good deal of the truth of
yourself."

"You think--"

"I know. You told me then that your whole desire was to have a good
time. How long are you going to put up with your present life?"

"Put up! You don't understand. Nigel has been very good to me, and I am
very happy with him."

"If he's been good to you, don't you wish him to get well?"

"Of course I do. I've been waiting upon him hand and foot."

"And not even a maid to help you--although she did ring last night for
Hamza, when we were here."

She looked down, and picked at the dim embroideries that covered the
divan.

"I've nursed him till I've nearly made myself ill," she said,
mechanically.

"I'm going to relieve you of that task."

She turned her face up towards him.

"No, you aren't!" she said. "I'm Nigel's wife, and that is my natural
duty."

"Nevertheless, I'm going to relieve you of it."

The rock-like firmness of his tone evidently made upon her an immense
impression.

"From to-night I take charge of this case."

Mrs. Armine stood up. She was taller than Isaacson, and now she stood
looking down upon him.

"Nigel won't have you!" she said.

"He must."

"He won't--unless I wish it."

"You will never wish it."

"No."

"But you will pretend to wish it."

She continued to look down in silence. At last she breathed, "Why?"

"Because, if you don't, I shall not send for another doctor. I shall
send for the police authorities."

She sank down again upon the divan. But her expression did not change.
He believed that she succeeded in making her face a mere mask while she
thought with a furious rapidity.

"You don't mean to say," she at length said, "that you think
anything--that you suppose one of the servants--Ibrahim--Hamza--? I
can't believe it! I could never believe it!"

"Do you wish me to cure your husband?"

"Of course I wish him to be cured."

"Then please go now and tell him that you have asked me to stay here for
the night. I don't want him to see me to-night. I will see him as soon
as he wakes to-morrow."

"But--he does