rved by a flutter of the frill at her wrist
that she was trembling.

"I am sure I have nothing to 'say out in so many words,' as you put
it," he replied, forcing his voice into cool, impassive tones. "I merely
commented upon a coincidence, that was all. If, for any reason under
the sun, the subject chances to be unpleasant to you, I have no earthly
desire to pursue it."

"But I insist upon having it pursued!" returned Alice. "I've had just
all I can stand of your insinuations and innuendoes, and it's high time
we had some plain talk. Ever since the revival, you have been dropping
sly, underhand hints about Mr. Gorringe and--and me. Now I ask you what
you mean by it."

Yes, there was a shake in her voice, and he could see how her bosom
heaved in a tremor of nervousness. It was easy for him to be very calm.

"It is you who introduce these astonishing suggestions, not I," he
replied coldly. "It is you who couple your name with his--somewhat to my
surprise, I admit--but let me suggest that we drop the subject. You
are excited just now, and you might say things that you would prefer to
leave unsaid. It would surely be better for all concerned to say no more
about it."

Alice, staring across the table at him with knitted brows, emitted a
sharp little snort of indignation. "Well, I never! Theron, I wouldn't
have thought it of you!"

"There are so many things you wouldn't have thought, on such a variety
of subjects," he observed, with a show of resuming his breakfast. "But
why continue? We are only angering each other."

"Never mind that," she replied, with more control over her speech. "I
guess things have come to a pass where a little anger won't do any harm.
I have a right to insist on knowing what you mean by your insinuations."

Theron sighed. "Why will you keep harping on the thing?" he asked
wearily. "I have displayed no curiosity. I don't ask for any
explanations. I think I mentioned that the man had behaved insultingly
to me--but that doesn't matter. I don't bring it up as a grievance. I
am very well able to take care of myself I have no wish to recur to the
incident in any way. So far as I am concerned, the topic is dismissed."

"Listen to me!" broke in Alice, with eager gravity. She hesitated, as he
looked up with a nod of attention, and reflected as well as she was able
among her thoughts for a minute or two. "This is what I want to say to
you. Ever since we came to this hateful Octavius, you and I have be