"Is it possible? What an unpleasant character! Well, well, we must take pains that he is not enlightened—that is the way—you see how very simple it is."
"I warn you, this is the last money I shall give you for years," she said; "it is only from having these stocks in my hands that I am able to do it now."
"My dear friend, you forget; your husband may give you more stocks," he returned, with a laugh which made her shrink with abhorence.
"Mr. Forbes has promised me the money this week—that will be in time for the steamer."
"How coldly you betray anxiety to have me gone!" he said; "it is really cruel."
"I have no idea that you will go," she returned; "you will spend the money—you will demand more—my husband will discover it. But at least I shall have the satisfaction of knowing that there is no place secret enough, no land distant enough to guard your life safely after that."
He only received her passionate words with a shrug of the shoulders and a deprecating wave of the hand.
"But it is so sad to go into exile alone," he said; "if I could take with me——"
"Oh! you are such a base, miserable coward!" she broke in. "Such a pitiful, dastardly wretch! Don't frown at me—I have never been afraid of you—I am not now! I tell you the hour of retribution will come!"
His face never changed, he made her a gracious bow and said pleasantly: