coolness. "I think
that when a woman of Marion Sanderson's prominence is indiscreet in her
actions, she must expect to cause comment. I happened to see Mr. Grahame
kiss Mrs. Sanderson, under the musicians' gallery, at the ball last
night. I think I am justified in any conclusions I may draw."

Florence heard a low exclamation behind her. For a moment countless
thoughts rushed through her brain in jumbled confusion, then she seemed
to understand it all. Mrs. McSeeney told the truth. No woman would dare
make such an accusation falsely, and this explained Marion's strange
talk of the afternoon. Poor Marion! was there no way to save her? With
the suddenness of inspiration an idea came to her. She remembered seeing
a play in which two women were mistaken for each other by the similarity
of their gowns; she had also been with Duncan under the musicians'
gallery, and she knew it was too dark to distinguish faces accurately
there. She turned quickly toward Roswell Sanderson, and seizing his hand
drew him forward. He was about to speak but she stopped him; then,
facing Mrs. McSeeney, she said defiantly: "You have conceived a clever
plan to ruin Mr. Sanderson's wife. Your motive, I think, is evident to
all who know you, but, fortunately, your statement is untrue. 'Twas I
who was with Mr. Grahame under the musicians' gallery."

Mrs. McSeeney drew back astonished at this sudden statement, but she
quickly recovered from her surprise and said ironically: "Such a
melodramatic sacrifice seems out of place in real life, but I suppose
you are one of those heroic maidens who enjoy tarnishing their own
reputation to clear a friend. I admit that the darkness and the
similarity of your gowns may have rendered the confusion possible, but I
assure you I was not mistaken about the facts. I suppose you are
prepared to admit them also?"

"I am," said Florence deliberately.

"Well, you are ingenuous, I must say," said Mrs. McSeeney, astonished at
Florence's determined manner. "Perhaps you will think better of your
foolishness when you realize the position in which you have placed
yourself before society. In the meantime I trust Mr. Sanderson accepts a
statement which, considering my experience of the world, I believe
extremely improbable."

Roswell clenched his fists to suppress his anger. "Mr. Sanderson," he
said slowly, "believes absolutely in the fidelity of his wife, and he
warns Mrs. McSeeney that she must answer to him for any future sl