They wondered why some one did not drop a hint to the husband. Unsuspicious by nature, and disregarding the formal calls of society whenever he could possibly do so, he very seldom accompanied his wife on the rounds of gayety on which she had embarked. For weeks neither significant words nor glances came to him.
But he did hear of it at last, and then the blow struck him with terrible effect. It was only a few sentences spoken by a couple of ladies, and pointed with a venom which only a woman's tongue can give, coupling the name of his wife with that of Arthur Hollis.
But the import of their words was unmistakable, and the shock seemed momentarily to stop the young man's breath. The two scandal-mongers lingered over their gossip with keen delight, not knowing that they were overheard. It was at a garden-party given by Ida. Eugene Mallard had gone into the grounds to enjoy a cigar in a favorite little retreat which few of the guests had as yet discovered. He did not care for the dancing on the lawn, and could not be induced to join the dancers.
Hidden by a group of laurel-bushes, Eugene's quick ear caught the words of two young girls walking slowly down the path.
"Have you seen our hostess, young Mrs. Mallard?" asked one of the other. "I have been searching for her everywhere."
"Look for handsome Arthur Hollis," returned her companion. "You will surely find her with him."
The rest of the sentence was uttered in a whisper, but Eugene Mallard heard every word of it.
[CHAPTER XXXIX.]
Eugene Mallard flung down the cigar which he had just lighted as soon as the girls passed, and made his way from the place.