d so loving! She had been cooing like a
turtle dove, and now, "Oh, wondrous change," she wished to shoot him. He
could not remember having uttered a single word that would wound the
most sensitive nature.

After tea, Madam Imbert walked down to Cox's, first seeing Rivers and
directing him to keep a close guard on the house that night, and
especially to watch the cellar-window, so as to know if anything took
place in the cellar. On arriving at Cox's she was shown into Mrs.
Maroney's room. Mrs. Maroney was in bed, but did not have her clothes
off. She had not been crying, but fairly quivered with suppressed
excitement. She rose and closed the door, and then burst out with, "Why,
Madam Imbert, have you ever heard of so foolish a man as my husband? Who
knows where De Forest comes from? Do you?"

"No," answered the Madam; "he was here when I came. Don't you know?"

"No. All I know is that I became acquainted with him here, when I first
came, and I found him so serviceable that I kept up the acquaintance;
But," she broke out in a wild, excited manner, "D--n him! I'll put a
ball through him if he dares to injure me."

"Keep cool, keep cool! What does it matter? You are excited; it is a bad
time to talk," urged Madam Imbert.

"But I must talk: I shall suffocate if I don't. Madam Imbert, I must
tell you all."

"No! You must not talk now. Calm yourself! You must keep cool! Think of
your poor husband languishing in prison, and remember that any false
move of yours may prove to his disadvantage."

"But what makes him charge me with receiving improper attentions from De
Forest? I know I have sometimes been foolish with him, but he is soft
and I have moulded him to my purpose. He has been my errand-boy, nothing
more; and now my husband thinks me untrue to him, when I would gladly
die for him, if it would help him. It is too hard to bear, too hard!!"

Madam Imbert had had the forethought to bring a bottle of brandy with
her, so she advised: "Don't make things worse than they are; you had
better say no more until morning. Here, have a little brandy; I saw you
were nervous, and so brought a bottle with me; take some, and then go to
bed. After a good sound sleep you will be able to see your way much
clearer than now."

"Oh, thank you," said Mrs. Maroney, as she eagerly seized the glass and
gulped down a large quantity.

Madam Imbert started to leave.

"Please don't go yet; I must tell you all," pleaded Mrs. Maroney.

"Wait