, whose belief in Mrs. Carstairs was too
genuine to be doubted for an instant, had come at an opportune moment,
setting, as it were, the seal on his own changed judgment; and being
essentially a man of honour, upright and just to a fault, he deemed it
not only a duty but a privilege to come directly to his wife, and while
asking her pardon for his unjustifiable suspicions, assure her of his
firm determination to see her innocence made manifest before all the
world.

* * * * *

Something of this Anstice guessed as he watched the interchange of
glances between husband and wife on this bitter November evening, and he
told himself that few women would have accepted their husband's tardy
reparation as this woman had done. It did not need a magician to know
that husband and wife were truly reunited, and though some might have
been inclined to label Chloe Carstairs poor-spirited in that she had
apparently forgiven her husband's mistrust so easily, Anstice told
himself that Chloe was a woman in a thousand, that this very forgiveness
and lack of any natural resentment showed the unalloyed fineness, the
pure gold of her character, as nothing else could have done.

* * * * *

It was Chloe who broke the silence which followed Major Carstairs' last
words, and as he looked at her Anstice was struck suddenly by the change
in her appearance this evening. Where she had hitherto been cold,
impassive, indifferent, now she was warm, glowing, responsive. In her
pale cheeks was a most unusual wild-rose colour and her blue,
almond-shaped eyes held a light which made them look like two beautiful
sapphires shining in the sun.

When she spoke her rich, deep voice lost its undertone of melancholy,
and rang joyously, with the soft beauty of a 'cello's lower notes.

"You see, Dr. Anstice, your faith in me--for which I have never
attempted to thank you--is at last within measure of being justified!"
She smiled happily. "And although Tochatti has served me faithfully she
cannot be allowed to go on with this thing--if she be the one
responsible. The question is, How is it to be brought home to her?"

Thus encouraged Anstice again outlined the plan he had formerly
suggested--that a watch should be set during the night; but, as he had
half expected, Chloe did not give it her unqualified approval.

"No, Dr. Anstice." She spoke too gently to cause him offence. "I don't
think, honestly,