that
evening. "It isn't stamped my lady," she began; and then in a tone of
surprise: "Why, it is addressed to your ladyship!"

Violet started. "Give it to me!" she commanded "That will do. I shall not
be wanting you again to-night."

The girl withdrew, and she crouched lower over the fire, the letter in
her hand.

Yes, it was addressed to her in her husband's clear, strong
writing--addressed to her and written in her presence!

Her hands were trembling very much as she tore open the envelope. A
baffling mist danced before her eyes. For a few seconds she could see
nothing. Then with a great effort she commanded herself, and read:

"My own Beloved Wife,

"If I have made your life a misery, may I be forgiven! I meant
otherwise. I saw you on the ramparts this evening. That is why I want
you to leave this place to-morrow. But if you do not wish to share my
life any longer, I will let you go. Only in Heaven's name choose some
worthier means than this!

"I am yours to take or leave. P.F."

Hers--to take--or leave! She felt again the steady hold upon her arm, the
equally steady release. That was what he had meant. That!

She sat bowed like an old woman. He had seen! And instead of being angry
on his own account, he was concerned only on hers. She was his own
beloved wife. He was--hers to take or leave!

Suddenly a great sob broke from her. She laid her face down upon the note
she held....

There came a low knock at the door that divided her room from the one
adjoining. She started swiftly up as one caught in a guilty act.

"Can I come in?" Field said.

She made some murmured response, and he opened the dividing door. A
moment he stood on the threshold; then he came quietly forward. He
carried her cloak upon his arm.

He deposited it upon the back of a chair, and came to her. "I hoped you
would be in bed," he said.

"I am trying--to get warm," she muttered almost inarticulately.

"Have you had a hot drink since your accident?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I told West--I couldn't."

He turned and rang the bell. He must have seen his note tightly grasped
in her hand, but he made no comment upon it.

"Sit down again!" he said gently, and, stooping, poked the sinking fire
into a blaze.

She obeyed him almost automatically. After a moment he laid down the
poker, and drew the chair with her in it close to the fender. Then he
picked up the cloak and put it about her shoulders, and finally m