not see so much of him, and I think that the manners of
women are less objectionable than those of men. But I want to tell
you what passed between her and me."

"If it is about her husband's business she ought to have held her
tongue, and you had better hold yours now."

This was not a happy beginning, but still she was determined to go
on. "It was I think more about your business than his."

"Then it was infernal impudence on her part, and you should not have
listened to her for a moment."

"You do not want to ruin her and her children!"

"What have I to do with her and her children? I did not marry her,
and I am not their father. He has got to look to that."

"She thinks that you are enticing him into risks which he cannot
afford."

"Am I doing anything for him that I ain't doing for myself! If there
is money made, will not he share it? If money has to be lost, of
course he must do the same." Lopez in stating his case omitted to
say that whatever capital was now being used belonged to his partner.
"But women when they get together talk all manner of nonsense. Is it
likely that I shall alter my course of action because you tell me
that she tells you that he tells her that he is losing money? He is a
half-hearted fellow who quails at every turn against him. And when he
is crying drunk I dare say he makes a poor mouth to her."

"I think, Ferdinand, it is more than that. She says that--"

"To tell you the truth, Emily, I don't care a d---- what she says.
Now give me some tea."

The roughness of this absolutely quelled her. It was not now that
she was afraid of him,--not at this moment, but that she was knocked
down as though by a blow. She had been altogether so unused to such
language that she could not get on with her matter in hand, letting
the bad word pass by her as an unmeaning expletive. She wearily
poured out the cup of tea and sat herself down silent. The man was
too strong for her, and would be so always. She told herself at this
moment that language such as that must always absolutely silence her.
Then, within a few minutes, he desired her, quite cheerfully, to ask
her uncle and aunt to dinner the day but one following, and also to
ask Lady Eustace and Mrs. Leslie. "I will pick up a couple of men,
which will make us all right," he said.

This was in every way horrible to her. Her father had been back in
town, had not been very well, and had been recommended to return
to the country. He had conseq