"I should like to punish the wretch," cried Tui, vehemently.
"I'll punish him for you," murmured Jim in her ear. "Shall I kick him, or wring his neck, or throw him into the Arno?"
"Well, I think the last would be best; it might wash the sin out of him."
"Water was used for lustration by the Chaldeans," said Miss Slarge, her ruling passion strong within her. Then the genuine woman asserted herself. "Olive, my poor love, I trust indeed that this may be so, and that you will escape from the power of this bad man."
"I was never in his power," cried Olive, proudly; "he was never my husband. I hated him. I will throw the ring--no"--she stopped suddenly, and replaced the wedding-ring on her finger--"I must not cease to wear this until I am certain of my freedom. Lord Aldean," she asked suddenly, "you go over to Italy to-morrow?"
"Yes, by the nine o'clock express from Victoria."
"And you will see this--this man who calls himself Carson?"
"It is probable. I must put a stop to his game and Semberry's. I promised Mallow to do so."
"Then I will go to Florence with you."
Mrs. Purcell stared. Her face assumed an expression of horror.