"She threatened you?"
"With vitriol. She said that she would blind me so that I could not see you—scar me so that you would not care to look upon my face. Ought I to have told you? Alan, do not look so pale! It was a mere foolish threat."
"I am not so sure of that. She is capable of it—or of any other fiendish act. If she injured you, Lettice——"
"Don't think of that. You say you will go to Mr. Larmer this afternoon."
"Yes. And then I will look out for lodgings. And you—what will you do? Stay here?"
She shook her head. "I shall go into lodgings too. I have plenty of work, and you—you will come to see me sometimes."
"As often as you will let me. Oh, Lettice, it is a hard piece of work that you have given me to do!"
She took his hand in hers and pressed it softly. "I shall be grateful to you for doing it," she said. There was a long silence. Alan stood by the fire-place, his head resting upon his hand. Finally he spoke in a low uncertain tone—
"There is one point I must mention. I think there may be a difficulty in getting the divorce. I believe she claims that I condoned her—her faults. I may find insuperable obstacles in my way."
Lettice drew a quick breath, and rose suddenly to her feet.