s
constant invitations to shoot over the best preserves, and its free
fishing whenever in the humour, is a thousand times preferable to the
silk-hatted, frock-coated existence of the fashionable physician.

I had long ago talked it all over with Ethelwynn, and she entirely
agreed with me. I had not the slightest desire to have a
consulting-room of my own in Harley Street. All I longed for was a
life in open air and rural tranquillity; a life far from the tinkle of
the cab-bell and the milkman's strident cry; a life of ease and bliss,
with my well-beloved ever at my side. The unfortunate man compelled to
live in London is deprived of half of God's generous gifts.

"Though this unaccountable coldness has fallen between you," Mary
said, looking straight at me, "you surely cannot have doubted the
strength of her affection?"

"But Mrs. Henniker's insinuation puzzles me. Besides, her recent
movements have been rather erratic, and almost seem to bear out the
suggestion."

"That woman is utterly unscrupulous!" she cried angrily. "Depend upon
it that she has some deep motive in making that slanderous statement.
On one occasion she almost caused a breach between myself and my poor
husband. Had he not possessed the most perfect confidence in me, the
consequences might have been most serious for both of us. The outcome
of a mere word, uttered half in jest, it came near ruining my
happiness for ever. I did not know her true character in those days."

"I had no idea that she was a dangerous woman," I remarked, rather
surprised at this statement. Hitherto I had regarded her as quite a
harmless person, who, by making a strenuous effort to obtain a footing
in good society, often rendered herself ridiculous in the eyes of her
friends.

"Her character!" she echoed fiercely. "She's one of the most
evil-tongued women in London. Here is an illustration. While posing as
Ethelwynn's friend, and entertaining her beneath her roof, she
actually insinuates to you the probability of a secret lover! Is it
fair? Is it the action of an honest, trustworthy woman?"

I was compelled to admit that it was not. Yet, was this action of her
own, in coming to me in those circumstances, in any way more
straightforward? Had she known that I was well aware of the secret
existence of her husband, she would assuredly never have dared to
speak in the manner she had. Indeed, as I sat there facing her, I
could scarcely believe it possible that she could act t