He thought they were planning an elopement; but he would nip that in the bud.
The woman to whom he had given his name should not disgrace him. He determined upon that as he hurried up a rear stair-way to his wife's apartments to verify his suspicions.
To his utter surprise, as he flung open the door, he saw her sitting by the window. She sprung to her feet, looking at him with widely distended eyes.
It was the first time that her husband had ever crossed the threshold of her apartments.
He entered the room, closed the door behind him, and stood with folded arms before her.
Husband and wife looked at each other.
It was he who broke the awful silence. He strode up to her, and seized her wrist in a vise-like grasp.
"There is little use in making a preliminary speech," he cried, hoarsely. "I will come to the point at once!"
His face was ghastly, his lips trembled with uncontrollable rage.
Ida, pale, terrified, wondering, gazed at him with undisguised terror in her eyes.