“No! I did not know she was coming. She did not send up her card, but the boy said a lady wished to see me in the parlor. I believe every man should be as gallant to ladies as circumstances will permit.”
“Oh, yes!” sneered the husband, his lips curling.
“I came down to see what the lady desired. Your wife was here. I was in no way responsible for what followed, but I assure you that she received no encouragement from me.”
“What did I see as I entered this room?” demanded the man.
“You saw me preventing her from clasping her arms about my neck. I had just told her how foolish she was, but she would not be rebuffed.”
“Liar!” panted the husband, seeming to become still more furious. “Do you dare accuse my wife of such immodesty! Do you dare charge her with following you without encouragement! She would not do such a thing. You are trying to shield yourself behind a woman, you cowardly young——”
“Stop!” exploded Frank, stepping forward. “I have stood quite enough of this from you! I am sorry for you, but I am not willing to be called all sorts of vile names. Your wife forced me to tell the truth and the whole truth. I do not fancy lying, but I might have stretched the truth to protect her if she had given me any chance. She gave me no chance. She came here of her own accord, without encouragement from me, and——”
“Oh, you shall pay for every word you speak! You dare thus traduce my wife, you——”
“Stop again! I have seen quite enough of both you and your wife. I trust you will be good enough to take her away. She is not the only one to write me mash notes, and——”
Again the husband interrupted: