He did
not return until a later train than usual, and Rose was in hopes of
escaping his notice until her object had been accomplished. Then, of
course, there would be a scene; and she enjoyed the prospect of it.
She was brewing a storm, and delighting herself in the hellish
concoction.

When Antony came home he saw the carriage at the front door, and the
coachman waiting by the horses. "Where are you going at this time of
night, Clemens?" he asked.

"Mrs. Van Hoosen is going to Mrs. Lawson's dance, sir."

Then Antony turned into the parlor, and leaving open the door, waited
for his wife's approach. Very soon a maid ran down with her carriage
wraps, and then there was a light step, with a vague waft of perfume,
and Antony went to the foot of the staircase. Rose was descending with
her mask in her hand. Her fair auburn hair was loose and crowned with
poppies. Her short and scanty dress was of vivid scarlet and black,
her hose were of scarlet silk, her slippers of black satin, and her
arms covered to above the elbows with black gloves. She was, as she
mockingly said, "a _diablesse_ in scarlet and black."

Antony looked at her, and his face burned with shame; then with a
grasp she could not resist, he led her into the parlor, turned the key
in the door, and put it in his pocket. At that, she found it possible
to speak to her husband.

"Let me out, sir!" she cried, passionately. "How dare you lock me in
any room?" And she was wickedly beautiful as she imperiously ordered
her own release. Sensitive to her influence, and trembling under her
power, Antony defied it.

"You shall not leave this house to-night," he answered. "You shall
never leave it in such a shameless garb. You outrage yourself and all
who love you by it."

"As I intend to remain unknown, the precious self-respect of anybody
that loves me will not be hurt. As for myself, it makes no matter.
Give me the key, sir."

"I will not."

"Then I shall go out by the window."

"You will do nothing of the kind. I am going to remain here with you.
You will not surely compel me to use force."

"You are brutal enough to use force."

"Rose, I must save you from yourself. Some day you will thank me for
it."

"I wish you would let me alone. I do not want you to save me. I wish I
had never seen you. I hate you from morning to night. I wish you would
go where I could never see your face or hear your voice again!"

"You are angry now, Rose. But have you not been