Scarcely was the story told when a ring was heard at the door, and the servant entering announced "Major Ashton."
"Bring him in!" said Mrs. Sheldon, sternly. "Now I shall know the truth."
Major Ashton, dressed in the most careful manner, with a rose in his button-hole, his heart full of happy anticipations of the fortune that would soon be his, was ushered in.
He did not at first notice the other occupants of the room, but hurried to Mrs. Sheldon, with a very good affectation of a lover's fervor. He was about to press a kiss on the widow's cheek, when she stepped back and said:
"Major Ashton, I wish to introduce you to this lady."
Mrs. Ashton, the ill-used wife, rose at the words, and threw aside her veil.
"Oh, Reginald!" she cried, reproachfully.
One look was enough, and he stood as if paralyzed.
"Confusion!" he muttered. "What evil fate brought you here?"
"I came to prevent your doing a wicked thing, Reginald. I came to prevent your deceiving this good lady as you deceived, or worse than deceived me."