outherner lets herself go the result is apt to be
disastrous."

"Will she be quieter in the morning?"

"I expect so." He stood by the mantelpiece, glass in hand; and in spite
of his evident fatigue it was easy to see he was quietly jubilant over
the events of the night. "The Latin races have a peculiar elasticity,
you know. An Englishwoman who had passed through this sort of violent
brain-storm would be absolutely exhausted, worn out for days after it;
but an Italian doesn't seem to feel things in the same way. They are so
naturally excitable, I suppose, that a scene like this is merely an
episode in the day's work; and they recover their mental poise much more
rapidly than persons of a more phlegmatic temperament would be likely to
do."

"Then you think she may be--more or less--normal in the morning?"

"I daresay--a bit dazed, perhaps, but I don't think you need fear a
repetition of to-night's scene. Of course she ought not to be left
alone--in case she tries to scoot; but if you are staying in the
house----" He paused interrogatively.

"I am staying," returned Major Carstairs quietly. "Thanks to you the
cloud has lifted from our home; and since my wife is generous enough to
forgive me for my unwarrantable doubt of her----"

He broke off, for Anstice was moving forward with outstretched hand; and
he guessed that the younger man was rendered uncomfortable by the turn
the conversation had taken.

"You're going?" He wrung Anstice's hand with fervent gratitude. "Well,
it's late, of course--but won't you stay here for the rest of the night?
We can give you a bed in five minutes, and I'm sure my wife will be
distressed if you turn out now."

"Thanks very much, but I must go." The decision in his tone was
unmistakable.

"Well, I'll get out the car and run you over----"

"No, thanks. I'd really rather walk." He picked up hat and coat from the
window-seat and turned to the door with an air of finality. "It's a fine
night and I shall enjoy it. I'll be round early in the morning--but I
don't think Tochatti will give you any trouble for a good many hours
yet."

"As soon as she is able to explain matters there will be a good deal to
be done," said Major Carstairs rather grimly, as they went through the
hall together. "Thank God, we have that last letter as a proof of her
duplicity, and by its aid we can doubtless get a full confession out of
her."

"Yes." Anstice paused a second on the doorstep before plunging into