hristian
martyrs; she wondered if the fortitude with which they met their
sufferings was at all comparable to the resolution she displayed in the
face of affliction. The morning's post had brought a letter from
Victoria, to whom her brother had written to much the same effect as he
had communicated with his father. In this she expressed herself as
admirably as was her wont; she also treated the matter with a
sympathetic tact which, under the circumstances, did her credit. She
trusted that anything that had happened would not influence the love
and duty she owed her husband. Harold's marriage to Miss Keeves was in
the nature of a great surprise, but if it brought her brother happiness
she would be the last to regret it; she hoped that, despite past
events, she would be able to welcome her brother's wife as a sister;
she would not fail to come in time to greet her sister-in-law, but she
would leave her husband in town, as he had important business to
transact.

Some half hour before the time by which Harold and his wife could
arrive at Melkbridge House, the Devitt family were assembled in the
library; in this room, because it was on the ground floor, and,
therefore, more convenient for Harold's use, he having to be carried up
and down stairs if going to other floors of the house.

Devitt was frankly ill at ease. His wife did her best to bear herself
in the manner of the noblest traditions (as she conceived them) of
British matronhood. Miss Spraggs talked in whispers to her sister of
"that scheming adventuress," as she called Mavis. Victoria chastened
agitated expectation with resignation; while Lowther sat with his hands
thrust deep into his trouser pockets. At last a ring was heard at the
front door bell, at which Devitt and Lowther went out to welcome bride
and bridegroom. Those left in the room waited while Harold was lifted
out of the motor and put into the hand-propelled carriage which he used
in the house. The Devitt women nerved themselves to meet with becoming
resolution the adventuress's triumph.

Through the open door they could hear that Mavis had been received in
all but silence; only Harold's voice sounded cheerily. The men made way
for Mavis to enter the library. It was by no means the triumphant,
richly garbed Mavis whom the women had expected who came into the room.
It was a subdued, carelessly frocked Mavis, who, after accepting their
chastened greetings, kept her eyes on her husband. When the door was