The two women went upstairs together in silence, and it was not until Helen had closed the door and Madelene had removed her wraps that Mrs. Graves turned upon her brother's wife.
"I suppose you noticed from Ebbie's letters that I've been awfully unhappy?"
"Yes," admitted Helen, "but I was in hopes it had passed over."
"It's worse now than it was before," answered Madelene, "I'm perfectly certain he doesn't care for me—"
"Then why did he marry you?" interrupted Helen.
"For my money! That's why!"
Helen's answering ejaculation brought a short, bitter laugh from the girl.
"Oh, no, dear," protested Mrs. Waldstricker. "You must be mistaken. I'm positive, he's an honorable young man."
Madelene flung herself impatiently into a chair.
"Sit down," she said. "Don't stand up!... Oh, I'm so tired! It seems years since we left France. And Fred's been like a death's house all the time. I can't for the life of me see why he should act the way he does. Why, Helen, he goes days without as much as ever starting to speak to me. If he talks at all, I simply have to drag the words from him."