ver her face and in her
mouth. "There," he said, relievedly, "now will you shut up?" holding
her tight in an iron grip, he let her struggle and turn, quite ready to
put an end to her breathing if necessary.

Now that he had conquered her, he continued to hold her tightly,
stooping beside her on one knee, listening and meditating. Hers was
surely a terrible passion. From some points of view he could not blame
her. Great was her provocation, great her love. He knew her
disposition well enough to have anticipated something of this sort.
Yet the wretchedness, shame, scandal of the terrible affair upset his
customary equilibrium. To think any one should give way to such a
storm as this! To think that Aileen should do it! To think that Rita
should have been so mistreated! It was not at all unlikely that she was
seriously injured, marred for life--possibly even killed. The horror
of that! The ensuing storm of public rage! A trial! His whole career
gone up in one terrific explosion of woe, anger, death! Great God!

He called the butler to him by a nod of his head, when the latter, who
had gone out with Rita, hurried back.

"How is she?" he asked, desperately. "Seriously hurt?"

"No, sir; I think not. I believe she's just fainted. She'll be all
right in a little while, sir. Can I be of any service, sir?"

Ordinarily Cowperwood would have smiled at such a scene. Now he was
cold, sober.

"Not now," he replied, with a sigh of relief, still holding Aileen
firmly. "Go out and close the door. Call a doctor. Wait in the hall.
When he comes, call me."

Aileen, conscious of things being done for Rita, of sympathy being
extended to her, tried to get up, to scream again; but she couldn't;
her lord and master held her in an ugly hold. When the door was closed
he said again: "Now, Aileen, will you hush? Will you let me get up and
talk to you, or must we stay here all night? Do you want me to drop you
forever after to-night? I understand all about this, but I am in
control now, and I am going to stay so. You will come to your senses
and be reasonable, or I will leave you to-morrow as sure as I am here."
His voice rang convincingly. "Now, shall we talk sensibly, or will you
go on making a fool of yourself--disgracing me, disgracing the house,
making yourself and myself the laughing-stock of the servants, the
neighborhood, the city? This is a fine showing you've made to-day.
Good God! A fine showing, indeed! A brawl in