"No matter!" fiercely. "They have given the devil ample time to claim his own, and yet you are upon earth!"
"Yes," serenely; "both of us."
"Both of us, then. How dare you seek me out?"
"My dear wife, I never did you so much honor. I came to this house for another purpose, and Providence, kind Providence, has guided me to you."
The woman seemed recalled to herself. Again the look of fear overspread her face, and looking nervously about her, she said. "For God's sake, hush! What you wish to say say out, but don't let your voice go beyond these walls."
"Dear Alice, my voice never was vulgarly loud, was it? recollect, if you please," in an injured tone.
"Well! well! what do you want with me? Percy Jordan, I warn you—I am not the woman you wronged ten years ago."
"No; by my faith, you are a handsomer woman, and you carry yourself like a duchess. Why didn't you do that when you were Mrs.—"
"Hush!" she cried; "you base liar, it did not take me long to find you out, even then. Don't forget that you have lived in fear of me for ten long years."
"Just so," serenely; "haven't they been long? But they are ended now, my dear; my incubus is dead and—"