eaking up for
you, I shall do it.'

'I am very much obliged, but I really don't think it matters what is
said of me. I am not likely ever to meet the people who talk about such
things.'

She said it in so convincing a tone that Dymes looked at her gravely.

'I never know any one change so much,' he observed. 'Is it really your
health? No other reason for giving up such magnificent chances?'

'Of course, I have my reasons. They concern nobody but myself.'

'I might give a guess, I dare say. Well, you're the best judge, and we
won't say any more about that. But look here--about Mrs. S. and her
scandal. I feel sure, as I said, that she's toadying to Mrs. Carnaby,
and expects to make her gain out of it somehow. Her husband's a
loafing, gambling fellow, and I shouldn't wonder if he gave her the
skip. Most likely she'll have to live by her wits, and we know what
that means in a woman of her kind. She'll be more or less dangerous to
everybody that's worth blackmailing.'

'You think she had--she was dependent in some way upon Mr. Redgrave?'
asked Alma, in an undertone.

'I've heard so. Shall I tell you what a woman said who is very likely
to know? Long ago, in the time of her first marriage, she got hold of
something about him that would have made a furious scandal, and he had
to pay for her silence. All gossip; but there's generally a foundation
for that kind of thing. If it's true, no doubt she has been at his
relatives since his death. It doesn't look as if they were disposed to
be bled. Perhaps they turned the tables on her. She has looked sour and
disappointed enough for a long time.'

'I was just thinking,' said Alma, with an air of serious deliberation,
'whether it would be worth while for _me_ to turn the tables on her,
and prosecute her for slander.'

'If you take my advice, you'll keep out of that,' replied the other,
with emphasis. 'But another thing has occurred to me. I see your
opinion of Mrs. Carnaby, and no doubt you have good reason for it. Now,
would it be possible to frighten her? Have you'--he peered more
keenly--'any evidence that would make things awkward for Mrs. Carnaby?'

Alma kept close lips, breathing rapidly.

'If you _have_,' pursued the other, 'just give her a hint that Mrs
Strangeways had better stop talking. You'll find it effectual, no
doubt.'

He watched her, and tried to interpret the passion in her eyes.

'If I think it necessary,' said Alma, and seemed to check herself.

'N