"Then why do you wish to forgive him?"
"Because I do," said Mrs. Baldwin doggedly.
"Were I you," said Luther, after a pause, "I would leave the cuss alone. Think of your children."
"I want him back," said Mrs. Baldwin, and softened her tone. "All will be forgiven and forgotten."
But, even as she said this, Tracey saw a nasty glitter in her eye. He was not so sure that Mrs. Baldwin was actuated by Christian intentions in wanting her lost husband back. In spite of her apparent good-nature, she was petty and spiteful. It might be, that she wished her husband back to make things hot for him. "Tell me really why you wish him to return?" said Luther.
Mrs. Baldwin breathed hard, and looked at her daughter. "Send Gerty out of the room," she said suddenly, and forthwith this was done. When alone with Tracey, who was more puzzled than ever, Mrs. Baldwin again became energetic. "There was a diamond necklace," she said.
"Ah," replied the American, whistling; "I see, Rufus nabbed it?"
Mrs. Baldwin took no notice. "I want my necklace back," she said; "it was given to me by Gerty's father, and I intend to present her with it on her wedding-day. You are to marry her, Mr. Tracey; so if you want Gerty to look a lady, as she always is, you will catch Rufus, and make him give up the necklace."
Tracey smiled, and shook his head. "It's not to be done, Mrs. Baldwin. Your husband's been gone for years, and the necklace has long ago been sold. Besides, you would have to prosecute him. Think of the children, ma'am."
"I want back my diamond necklace," said Mrs. Baldwin, who was like a very obstinate child. "Oh, how I hated that man!" In her rage she forgot her pretended weakness. "Mr. Tracey," she rose to her feet in a kind of cold fury, worthy of Mrs. Fane, "Rufus was a brute. Why I married him I don't know. He said he had money, and he hadn't. I found out that at one time he had been in gaol for burglary. No wonder he took my diamond necklace. I want him caught and punished. I have always spoken well of him all these years for the children's sake, but I have never forgotten his brutal ways, Mr. Tracey." In real earnest, she laid her fat hand on his arm. "That man struck me. He spent my money; he made love to the servants. He was all that was bad--a thief, a liar, a profligate, a----"