"Caroline! Caroline!" I moaned, falling back in my chair, limp and hopeless, "you must not--you dare not attempt this mad prank! I tell you, Caroline, that you will regret your foolhardiness to the last day of your life."
"Listen to me, Reginald," said my wife, standing erect and drawing herself up to my full height. "Jones will come to you up-stairs for his orders. Think of it, my dear! You can order whatever you like best for dinner. The Van Tromps and Edgertons dine with us to-night. Don't forget that."
I groaned aloud, and felt the tears rushing to Caroline's beautiful eyes.
"This morning," she went on, seemingly in high spirits, "my new ball dress should arrive. Mrs. Taunton--you never liked her, Reggie, but she's really charming--is to lunch with me. Professor Von Gratz will be here at eleven to hear me play Beethoven's Opus 22. He's apt to be severe, but don't mind him, my dear. His bark is worse than his bite." Caroline bent down and touched the bell in front of me.
"Is the coupé ready, Jones?" she asked, as the butler entered.
"Yes, sir."
"Ta-ta, Reggie," cried my wife, in my most playful voice. "I'll call you by 'phone the moment I reach the office. Hope you'll have a pleasant day. Ta-ta!"
A moment later, I sat alone in the breakfast-room, gazing down at my broken coffee-cup and saucer. I regretted their accidental destruction. It would have pleased me now to smash them by design.
CHAPTER IV.
THE STRENUOUS LIFE.