manner from that to which you
have been accustomed. And a divorced woman will not be expected to make
a very lavish display either. I trust that your own good sense will
teach you the necessity of living in as retired a manner as possible.
Furthermore, I shall expressly stipulate that you remove to a
considerable distance from your former home. I do not wish any fresh
scandal to give the gossips a continual feast. If you submit to my
conditions we can effect this quietly. If not, then it is war between
us.'

"'And a court of justice to decide for the right,' I added.

"'Justice!' he sneered. 'You are old enough to realize that it is but an
empty name. What could a defenceless woman, without means to help
herself, do against a man of my wealth and standing. You can effect
nothing by braving me. Look at this proposition, as coolly as possible,
and reflect well before you decide upon anything permanently. It can not
be that you have more affection for me than I for you, for I am sensible
that my course has not been such as would be naturally expected to win a
woman's regard. However, I do not value your opinion in the least, so
that fact does not annoy as much as you might think. It is true, I might
be more polite in stating the case, but you will agree with me that I
put the facts plainly enough for your understanding.'

"'I would further advise you to proceed as I have proposed, simply from
a wish to spare your feelings. I believe you to be an honest woman, and
I should dislike to be obliged to attack your character in public. If
you were to go away, of your own accord, to some quiet place, I think
you would find the change agreeable. You would, of course, resume your
maiden name, and nobody, unless you chose to inform them, could, by any
possibility, become aware of your former history. I would then place in
the hands of my lawyer, and subject to your disposal, a sum which I
would set aside for your own use, giving you a yearly income of five
hundred dollars. You could live plainly, but comfortably on this sum.'

"'Hush!' I commanded. 'Geoffrey Westbourne, how dare you add insult to
injury? You have spent, to your own knowledge, a large fortune of mine.
I blush to think that I have ever called you husband, when you offer
this last indignity to the daughter of Wilbour Hardyng. You have already
said more than enough upon this subject. We will dismiss it if you
please.'

"'Very well,' he replied, 'I will leave you to