Scarlet and Hyssop

ld, and her mode of procedure, when she learned from Maud of her first rejection of Anthony's hand, was

ery sorry. But you know,

k, in her silent, uncomf

t me eventually to ac

mind where Maud could have got her

your good sense that you did not definitely refuse him.

sible to use so cold and calculating a word for a process so tender-had its desired effect, and Maud felt herself touched with a sense of vague contrition. Eventually, not feeling sure of herself, she had decided to confide her difficulty to Marie Alston, for whom she cherished a shy and secret adoration. This interview, however, had not been productive of a result wh

ourable opportunity presents itself, strikes hard. It was this quality of anger that entered into Mildred's mind when Maud told her of this interview. Had she been simply irritated with Marie or angry with an anger of the less dangerous and quicker sort, she would probably have rushed roun

be a woman of a pride and fastidiousness quite beyond not only her own reach, but her own comprehension. This she had never either resented or envied; if people chose to behave in what she called a Holy Land manner, it was nothing to her, but she was not jealous of their unattainable Oriental longitudes. It was all very well to sit on a pedestal, but if you did, you had no idea what games went on in the jostling world below. Marie's habitu

nd disgust at Jack she did not hesitate to punish herself as well, and bring the matter if she could into the crude and convincing light of the Divorce Court, it would be both unpleasant for Mildred herself, for she felt that cross-examination was not likely to be amusing, and it would also spell ruin for Jack's career, a thing which now, in the present state of her affections, she cared about perhaps more than Jack. Of course, the matter might be conveyed to Marie in so gradual and vague a manner that such proceedings on her part would be without chance of success as far as getting a divorce was concerned-to possess her mind with suspicions that gradually became moral certainties was the point-but Mildred knew well that in the min

ed to her the most outrageous thing to have done. Marie must have known what her own desires for her daughter were-in fact, she had before now told her of them-yet she had done this. Mildred felt a qualm of almost physical si

st as a mongoose's eyes get red when it sees a cobra. Certainly she had been angry enough to account for the colour. But on the whole she did not like emotions, except pleasant ones-they were exhausting; and she lay down again on her sofa for half an hour to recover herself, and told her maid to bring her a

when a note was brought her,

not but advise her in opposition to them. This looks as if I set her against you-as far as that goes, I regret

ubling to question its sincerity. Then, bein

illy partly because his name was William, partly because he was exceedingly sharp. His Countess was kept in the country, and was supposed to go

f health. He had charming manners, a slim attractive appearance, and no morals of any kind whatever. His passion just now was Bridge, which he played regularly from sunset to sunrise; the remaining hours of the twenty-four were occupied in consum

ove from his flat in Berkeley Mansions, "and then I'll set you down

idered

have not had much to say to it; in fact, I have done nothing, a

rather a disappointment. A

," remarked Silly Billy candidly. "I should like to

laug

she said, "because you are

must be absolutely enigmatical or quite transparent.

aw you a sm

By the way, I have heard something about Jim

elp smiling, and her inwa

that too," she sai

as I am concerned," said Silly Billy, "so long as i

u see, they were engaged years and

y consider

d with her about?" he as

turned

th did you guess

the Snowflake is melting, you think! I'm sure I tried to melt

ed la

d. "I never knew tha

red. But Jim Spencer doesn't bore her, you think

soul. It seems t

rude," said Silly Billy, a

s I ought never to have discussed it with

ged his

and Mildred did not contradict him. Nor d

fact, went just exactly as it should, and when Mildred stole quietly away to avoid a string quartette and talk to Lady Maxwell, both to congratulate her on her husband's honour and advocate the virtues of patience and perseverance for Anthony, she felt braced and invigorated for the duties that lay before her. She had already wound the clock

dinner at a select little club called the Black Deuce, which had been lately founded with the sole and simple aim of Bridge-playing. Just as he was about to cross the street, his way was stopped for a moment by a policeman letting out the pent-up carriages which stood waiting for their

ey sat down at once. Silly Billy, having, as usual, won the deal and the seats, established himself with his back to the window. A

first deal, and Billy cut the car

now," he said, "drivin

ul than the silence of the game itself again fell. Billy gave half a glance round, not to see

aid. "That you? Did

you hadn't

served Billy. "What trum

ance. He had often claimed that the game had the advantage of enabling one to forget everything else in the world for the time being, and in t

ation, gave him no-trumps. The first card was led, Billy's hand expos

minute without interrup

looking exceedingl

oom, I should t

ed out, and

he said, and nobod

mselves simultaneously taking out their cigarette-cases. In the box on the table the

he was with,"

, then," said Silly Billy; "bec

e match into

ean my wife, t

atively speaking,

id. "You had me there. No

as that lie of your own invention, or di

ive language to me,"

come back to the other r

The situation was be

to press me to tell who told me. I warn you that if you are offensive again, I shall. At present, I do not tell you by way of amende fo

ly was no fool, and he weighed th

to follow. Perhaps it will be best and simplest if we go back to th

lly laughe

our wife's honour? Are you"-and Billy grew more animated-"are you so dense as not to know that the surest way of dragging it in the dust is to defend it, oh, successfully, I grant you, in the court? We live in an age, my dear Jack, in which violence has altogether ceased, and

oment, Jack s

is easy for you to box my ears, as you suggest, and think you have done a fine and manly action, but is all your conduct to her of a piece with that? Do you think that no one will say that it was

and angry, and stood

speak to me like that?

loor, but not an eyelash quivered. He lounged against the ch

If you had been faithful to your wife, I should say your behaviour was admirable. As it is, it is merely childish. We are rotten folk, you and I; but I have the pull over

sat

minute,"

remarked Billy. "For myself, I have done. And it was

your game!

t back," conceded Silly Bill

en people, and I have g

moved towa

enough," he said. "Not comi

he card-room, where the

he asked. "Whisky

ord-large

ner? Thanks. Game, and twenty-four to n