to dissipate it utterly, and then bask in
the full sunshine of his love, as dear to her to-day as before her
nuptials. But by no means did she regret the act which had called
forth his speech, except as it affected her momentary happiness. She
was ready to yield outwardly to anything that he might demand of her
in such a mood, but, later, she would return to her purpose with zeal.
That purpose, in this instance, would be to make Leon as miserable as
she could if he remained, but to have him out of the house if
possible. The game was now worth watching, for both players were very
skilful, and each was intent upon carrying the day eventually. Each
was as patient as persistent.

"You ask me to forgive you, Cora," was the Doctor's reply. "Do you
admit that you behaved very badly?"

"Now you are going to scold," said his wife, in a demure tone that
sounded odd from one of her years. But Madame often assumed the airs
of youthfulness, without realizing how poorly they suited her.

"I would never scold you, Cora, if you would only think always before
you act. You have been both unwise and unreasonable."

"I would not have been if you had informed me in advance that the boy
was coming. But you never tell me anything, Emanuel."

"Perhaps I should have done so in this case. But I only decided
yesterday, just before I left the country. A letter would not have
reached you, and I would not telegraph, because you are always
frightened by a despatch."

"The horrid things! I hate telegrams!"

"Exactly! It was from consideration for you that I did not notify you.
As soon as I reached home I came here to find you and explain, but you
had run down the other stairway, and so unfortunately you met Leon
before I intended you should."

"Leon Grath?" There was an accent upon the last name, and an
inflection of the voice very delicately expressed, which intimated
that there was a doubt. Madame could not resist speaking thus quickly,
hoping that a glance, an expression, however fleeting, might cross the
Doctor's face, which would be a clue upon which she might base her
future investigation. But she gained nothing by the manoeuvre, and
the Doctor continued, as though unsuspicious of her intent.

"Yes, Leon Grath. Sit down and I will tell you about him. Some years
ago I first met Leon, while hunting in the vicinity of his home, he
had broken his leg, and I set it for him. Subsequently in succeeding
years we have hunted together. This sum