Show this gentleman out.'

Not in the least disconcerted, Haddo strolled calmly to the door.

Arthur gave a sigh of relief, for he concluded that Haddo would not show
fight. His solicitor indeed had already assured him that Oliver would not
venture to defend the case.

Margaret seemed gradually to take more interest in the proceedings, and
she was full of eagerness to be set free. She did not shrink from the
unpleasant ordeal of a trial. She could talk of Haddo with composure. Her
friends were able to persuade themselves that in a little while she would
be her old self again, for she was growing stronger and more cheerful;
her charming laughter rang through the little house as it had been used
to do in the Paris studio. The case was to come on at the end of July,
before the long vacation, and Susie had agreed to take Margaret abroad as
soon as it was done.

But presently a change came over her. As the day of the trial drew
nearer, Margaret became excited and disturbed; her gaiety deserted her,
and she fell into long, moody silences. To some extent this was
comprehensible, for she would have to disclose to callous ears the most
intimate details of her married life; but at last her nervousness grew so
marked that Susie could no longer ascribe it to natural causes. She
thought it necessary to write to Arthur about it.

My Dear Arthur:

I don't know what to make of Margaret, and I wish you would come down and
see her. The good-humour which I have noticed in her of late has given
way to a curious irritability. She is so restless that she cannot keep
still for a moment. Even when she is sitting down her body moves in a
manner that is almost convulsive. I am beginning to think that the strain
from which she suffered is bringing on some nervous disease, and I am
really alarmed. She walks about the house in a peculiarly aimless manner,
up and down the stairs, in and out of the garden. She has grown suddenly
much more silent, and the look has come back to her eyes which they had
when first we brought her down here. When I beg her to tell me what is
troubling her, she says: 'I'm afraid that something is going to happen.'
She will not or cannot explain what she means. The last few weeks have
set my own nerves on edge, so that I do not know how much of what I
observe is real, and how much is due to my fancy; but I wish you would
come and put a little courage into me. The oddness of it all is making me
uneasy, and I am seized w