The Law and the Lady

was taking me to Major Fitz-David's house. I doubt, indeed, if I

itical interview with a stranger, I should have considered with myself what it might be wise to pass over, and what it might be wise to say. Now I never gave my coming interview with the Major a thought; I felt an unreasoning confidence in myself, and a blind faith in him. Now neither the past nor the future troubled me; I lived unreflectingly in the present. I looked at the shops as we d

rlier days. He eyed me with a grave attention, which relaxed little by little into sly approval. I asked for Major

the false name printed on them-Mrs. Eustace Woodville. The servant showed me

. It fitted into the thickness of the partition wall, and worked in grooves. Looking a little nearer, I saw that it had not been pulled out s

asked for me?" inquired a man's vo

t home, sir," answered the voice

ker was evidently Major Fitz-Davi

ot see her, Oliver," th

good

when I shall be back again. Beg the lady

s,

, Oli

and longer pause. Then the master

young,

s,

-pre

retty, sir, to

you call a fine

ainly

al

tall as I

aye? A go

ing, sir, and as u

am at home, Oliver. Sho

for the chambermaid. What would Oliver's report of me have been if I had

to the inner room. Major Fitz-David advan

I noticed next his beautiful brown wig; his sparkling little gray eyes; his rosy complexion; his short military whisker, dyed to match his wig; his white teeth and his winning

appiness of knowing you. Eustace is an old friend of mine. I congratulated him when I

man's hands. I studied him attentively:

ed the room, a happy mixture of admiration and respect. He drew his chair close to mine, as if it were a privilege to be near me. He took my hand and lifted my glove to his lips, as if that glove were the most delicious luxury

inct who the people are who really like them. The women had a warm friend-perhaps at one time a dangerously warm friend-in

said, matching my host's easy tone as closely as the necessary restraints

se as possible to mine. I looked at him gravely and tried to release my han

der the charm! Don't grudge me my innocent little pleasures. Lend me-I wish I could say give me-this pretty hand. I am such an admirer of pretty hands

cularly sensible of your kind welcome because

o another with such alarming rapidity that I felt the importance of administering a practical check to it. I trusted to those ominous words, "a favor to ask

rse!" he said. "And now, tell

out of spirit

who is married to You anxious and out of spirits? Monstrous! Eusta

hed spirits too. You are my husband's old friend. I may acknowledg

eyebrows (dyed to match his

ade of? Has he no appreciation of beauty and gr

," I answered. "But there is some

othest politeness, on the surface. But I saw a look in his bright little eyes which said

ightful qualities which I can see already-a vivid imagination. Don't let it get the upper hand. Take an old

, boldly. "I have made a discovery. I know

ttentively. His manner became grave, his t

municated to your husband the discover

d, in language that frightens me. I have appealed to his mother-and she has refused to explain, in language that humiliates me. Dear Major Fitz-David, I have n

rs;" answered the Major. "Don't

eally felt for me. I determined to try my utmost powers of

tell me than be condemned (as I am now) to perpetual misgiving and perpetual suspense. I love my husband with all my heart; but I cannot live with him on thes

snatched up his hand and raised it to my lips. The gallant

y? What can I do? I can only imitate your admirable frankness, your fearless candor. You have told me what your position is. Let me tell you, in m

gh to compose myself. "Infernal fool!" I heard him say to himself, as he considerately turned away from m

to do what he would have done in my husband's

few moments the door was opened, and the rustling of a woman's dress was plainly audible in the hall. The Major hurried to the door of the room with the activi