"For Heaven's sake stop, or speak lower!" exclaimed Craven, exhibiting the greatest alarm.
"Come, now, Craven, is any allusion to your wife so disagreeable? Considering that she is my sister, it strikes me that I shall have something to say on that subject."
"Don't allude to her, Sharpley," said the other, doggedly. "I shall never see her again. We—we didn't live happily, and are better apart."
"You may think so, but do you think I am going to have my sister treated in this way—deserted and scorned?"
"I can't help it," was the dogged reply.
"You can't? Why not?"
And the man addressed as Sharpley fixed his eyes upon his brother-in-law.
"Why do you come here to torment me?" said Craven, fiercely, brought to bay. "Why can't you leave me alone? Your sister is better off without me. I never was a model husband."
"That is where you are right, Craven; but, hark you!" he added, bending forward, "do you think we are going to stand by and do nothing while you are in the enjoyment of wealth and the good things of life?"
"Wealth? What do you mean?" stammered Craven.