hare of
public attention, was getting itself on foot. It was Rodman who promoted
the company and who became its secretary, though the name of that
functionary in all printed matter appeared as 'Robert Delancey.'
However, I only mention it for the present to explain our friend's
absence in Ireland. Alice often worked herself up to a pitch of terror
lest her husband had fulfilled his threat and really deserted her. He
returned when it suited him to do so, and tortured her with a story of a
wealthy Irish widow who had fallen desperately in love with him.

'And I've a good mind to marry her,' he added with an air of serious
reflection. Of course I didn't let her know my real name. I could manage
it very nicely, and you would never know anything about it; I should
remit you all the money you wanted, you needn't be afraid.'

Alice tried to assume a face of stony indignation, but as usual she
ended by breaking down and shedding tears. Then he told her that she
was getting plainer than ever, and that it all came of her perpetual
'water-works.'

Alice hit upon a brilliant idea. What if she endeavoured to make him
jealous? In spite of her entreaties, he never would take her to town,
though he saw that she was perishing for lack of amusement. Suppose
she made him believe that she had gone on her own account, and at the
invitation of someone whose name she would not divulge? I believe she
found the trick in one of her novels. The poor child went to work
most conscientiously. One morning when he came down to breakfast she
pretended to have been reading a letter, crushed an old envelope into
her pocket on his entering the room, and affected confusion. He observed
her.

'Had a letter?' he asked.

'Yes--no. Nothing of any importance.'

He smiled and applied himself to the ham, then left her in his ordinary
way, without a word of courtesy, and went to town. She had asked him
particularly when he should be back that night He named the train, which
reached Wimbledon a little after ten.

They had only one servant. Alice took the girl into her confidence, said
she was going to play a trick, and it must not be spoilt. By ten o'clock
at night she was dressed for going out, and when she heard her husband's
latch-key at the front door she slipped out at the back. It was her plan
to walk about the roads for half an hour, then to enter and--make the
best of the situation.

Rodman, unable to find his wife, summoned the servant.

'Where