“I come to ask for the property you took during my absence in California,” he said. “I don’t care to have you return to me——”
“I obtained a divorce.”
“Precisely; I don’t care to annul it. I am thankful that you are no longer my wife.”
“I—I will see what I can do for you. Don’t go near my present husband. He is in poor health, and cannot bear a shock.”
“Mrs. Crawford,” said Ashcroft, gravely, “if you have any idea of remaining here, in this house, give it up. I shall see that your husband’s eyes are opened to your real character.”
“Sir, you heard this man say that he has no claim upon me.”
“That may be, but I cannot permit my friend to harbor a woman whose record is as bad as yours.”
“What do you mean?” she demanded, defiantly.
“I mean that you have served a term in prison for larceny.”
“It is false,” she said, with trembling lips.